If you are struggling with your mental health after an abortion, you are not alone. Many women experience post-abortion stress syndrome (PASS) after receiving an abortion. Hope and healing is possible!
Mental Health Effects of Abortion
Studies have found that women who receive an abortion are more at risk of experiencing struggles with their mental health. These struggles can include depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
While some women might feel a sense of relief after an abortion, others may become overwhelmed with sadness, guilt, shame, and grief. Every woman is unique, and their story is worth being heard.
Seek Healing
Silence will only leave you feeling isolated. Don’t suffer alone.
Mental health counseling can help you process your feelings. Different counseling modalities work in different ways, and counseling that works for someone else might not work for you. Look for a counselor that has experience working with trauma.
It might take a few tries to find the right counselor. Keep searching until you find the right fit.
Support groups are an excellent way to share your experience and feelings while gaining peer support. Sometimes it can help to know that you are not alone and others have similar experiences and struggles. An internet search will help you find a support group that is right for you. Support groups often meet at churches or community centers.
If working with a professional counselor or support group is not an option for you, don’t try to ignore your feelings and hope they go away. Instead, try these tips:
Reach out to a close friend or family member that you can trust.
Journal your thoughts.
Find an online community dedicated to healing after abortion.
How Can We Help?
For support and resources, reach out to the Pregnancy Resource Center. The PRC of Glenwood Springs does not perform or refer for abortion.