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Abortion and Mental Health: Dispelling Myths and Providing Support

There is a wealth of information surrounding abortion and mental health. Because abortion remains politically and emotionally charged, findings often differ depending on the motivations of the publishing organization. Leading medical and psychological organizations, like the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, agree that abortion itself does not cause poor mental health outcomes. Instead, the strongest predictor of emotional wellbeing after an abortion is a person’s mental health before the procedure, as well as the degree of support and stigma they experience afterward. 


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Unfortunately, not all sources reflect this consensus. For example, Congress has frequently cited the Charlotte Lozier Institute, a partisan organization that presents biased, pro-life interpretations of data to support anti-abortion policies. Their “fact sheets” often appear prominently in search results, underscoring the importance of evaluating who funds and produces abortion-related research.


Despite the clarity of reputable evidence, many laws in the United States continue to rely on flawed studies that exaggerate the psychological risks of abortion. Requirements such as mandatory “abortion stress” counseling or waiting periods before care are rooted in the false claim that abortion harms mental health. In reality, later studies have shown that these claims stem from methodological errors and sampling bias. The distress some people experience after abortion is most often linked to the external factors noted above (social support, stigma, and prior mental health conditions) rather than the procedure itself. 


Barriers to abortion access also carry their own psychological and social costs. When abortion is banned or heavily restricted, people face logistical and emotional burdens: traveling long distances, arranging childcare, missing work, or confronting legal fears. These stressors disproportionately affect those with fewer resources, like people of color, low-income individuals, sexual and gender minorities, and other minoritized folks, widening existing health inequities. The result is a deepening divide between those who can access abortion care and those who cannot.


I will be utilizing the term “women” throughout this post to reflect the language used in the sources I am writing about, but I acknowledge that not all folks affected by abortion identify as women.


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The Turnaway Study

To address the methodological flaws of earlier research, the Turnaway Study was conducted between 2011 and 2016. This large, longitudinal project followed over 1,000 women across 21 U.S. states to examine how receiving, or being denied, an abortion affected multiple aspects of life. Researchers conducted over 8,000 phone interviews with participants, grouped into three categories: 

  1. Those who sought abortion care up to three weeks after the facility’s gestational limit and were turned away,

  2. Those who sought abortion care up to two weeks under the facility’s gestational limit and received an abortion, and

  3. Those who had first trimester abortions, serving as the control group. 


The findings were definitive: receiving an abortion does not harm mental health, but being denied one does. Women denied abortions were four times more likely to live below the federal poverty line, more likely to remain with abusive partners, and more likely to experience lasting physical health problems. Initially, they also reported higher anxiety and lower self-esteem, but these differences disappeared within a year. Rates of depression, post-traumatic stress, and life satisfaction did not differ between groups, and both groups improved over time. Five years later, 95% of participants said that having the abortion was the right decision for them.


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Support

After an abortion, it can be hard to know what comes next. If you’re feeling uncertain, try returning to the things that grounded you before: hobbies, exercise, journaling, or connecting with trusted friends. The same self-care strategies that worked before the procedure can still help you now.


There are also many formal avenues for after-abortion support. In addition to clinical counseling at The Life Workshop, organizations such as Exhale Pro-Voice offer free, nonjudgmental text support, and they partner with Postpartum Support International to provide a virtual support group for individuals after abortions. All-Options Talkline is another excellent, free resource offering a compassionate call line. 


While claims that abortion commonly leads to serious mental health problems are unsupported, it’s entirely valid to struggle with the decision or its aftermath. Reach out for help if and when you need it. Abortion is a deeply personal choice, and the research is clear: when people are supported, informed, and treated with compassion, they do well. Dispelling myths and centering empathy are essential steps toward genuine reproductive and mental health care.




References


Abortion Laws by State. (n.d.). Center for Reproductive Rights. 


Charlotte Lozier Institute. (2023, September 13). Fact Sheet: Abortion and Mental Health. 



Steinberg, J. R., McCulloch, C. E., & Adler, N. E. (2014). Abortion and mental health: findings 

from The National Comorbidity Survey-Replication. Obstetrics and gynecology, 123(2 Pt 1), 263–270. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000000092


Turnaway Study. (2020). Effect on Mental Health. [Video]. YouTube.

 
 
 

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