Following on from the recent email sent to supporters of Integrity and Action we
are pleased to confirm that we encourage all of our supporters to back the
initiative of Dr. Therese Coffey, MP, in calling for an Early Day Motion in
regard to women being informed as to the horrendous psychological traumas and
mental health problems widely associated with induced abortion.
Although Integrity and Action hold no truck with the liberal-democratic
parliamentary system that is based upon false principles opposed to Catholic
social doctrine, and we also hold no expectation that politicians belonging to
whatever Party will suddenly desire to do what is right, we believe that this
initiative is worth backing even if it causes just one soul in parliament to
begin to open his eyes to the horrors of abortion.
We also believe that Therese Coffey, who is known to some of our supporters, is
to be applauded and encouraged for taking this initiative.
With this in mind we strongly encourage all supporters of Integrity and Action
to contact their local Member of Parliament in order to urge them to support Dr.
Coffey's initiative; EDM 834: Informed Consent for Abortion.
Contact details for your MP can be found at this link:
http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/
The following template for a letter, it can be copied and pasted in an email,
could be used in order to urge your MP to support Dr. Coffey's Early Day Motion.
Dear ....... (your MP's name),
As one of your parliamentary constituents I am writing to request that you give
your full support to Early Day Motion 834: Informed Consent for Abortion.
http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=41801
Numerous scientific studies have been published that report an increased risk of
psychological problems and mental disorders amongst women who have undergone
induced abortion.
According to a group of leading psychologists and mental health professionals,
in a public letter printed in 'The Times', 27th October, 2006, induced abortion
causes women tremendous psychological and mental health problems.
Basing their statement upon a scientific report published in 'The Journal of
Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2006, they revealed that: "Women who had had
abortions had twice the level of mental health problems and three times the risk
of major depressive illness as those who had given birth or never been pregnant".
An in-depth American study found that mental health problems rose by 17% for
women who had an abortion. Incidence of some specific problems rose by as much
as 167%. This study reflected another conducted in New Zealand and published
around the same time by Fergusson et al in 'The British Journal of Psychiatry',
2008, that found women who had an abortion were 30% more likely to suffer
serious psychological disorders.
"Abortion was found to be related to an increased risk for a variety of mental
health problems (panic attacks, panic disorder, agoraphobia, PTSD, bipolar
disorder, major depression) and substance abuse disorders after statistical
controls were instituted for a wide range of personal, situational, and
demographic variables".
* 120% higher risk of alcohol abuse
* 145% increased risk of alcohol dependence
* 79% higher risk of drug abuse
* 126% increased risk of drug dependence
* 167% higher risk of bipolar disorder
* 48% increased risk of major depression
* 111% increased risk of panic disorders
* 44% greater risk of panic attacks
* 59% increased risk of PTSD
* 95% increased risk of agoraphobia
- Coleman et al, 'Induced Abortion & Anxiety', 'Mood and Substance Abuse
Disorders', 2008.
With these facts and references in mind, I urge you once again to give your full
support to EDM 834 and to bring these facts to the attention of your
parliamentary colleagues so that they may also offer their support to this
important Early Day Motion.
Sincerely,
....... ............... (your name - and address if appropriate)
On Tuesday, 2nd November, Mrs. Nadine Dorries, MP for Mid-Bedfordshire, raised an adjournment debate in the House of Commons upon the subject of informed consent for induced abortion.
ReplyDeleteAdjournment debates are open-ended discussions on government policy, or upon other subjects of interest, that conclude without any formal decision being made but which often lead to formal attempts being made to change a particular law.
The debate successfully concluded without any opposition and the next morning, Wednesday, 3rd November 2010, The Daily Telegraph carried a letter signed by half-a-dozen consultant psychiatrists calling for informed consent to be given to women seeking induced abortion and calling for a change in the law to be made in that regard.
The letter read:
"Dear Sir,
We welcome last night's parliamentary debate on government policy surrounding the provision of information to women seeking a termination of pregnancy.
In March 2008, the Royal College of Psychiatrists issued a position statement in which they recognised that good practice in relation to abortion should include informed consent involving the provision of adequate and appropriate information regarding the possible risks and benefits to physical and mental health.
A major 30-year longitudinal study that was published in the British Journal of Psychiatry in 2008 showed, after adjustment for confounding variables, that women who had had abortions had rates of mental disorder that were about 30% higher than their peers.
Moreover, the notion of 'informed consent' enjoys massive public support. A ComRes poll published on the anniversary of the Abortion Act last week, shows that 89% of British adults support ‘a woman’s right, enshrined in law, to be informed of all the physical, psychological and emotional risks associated with abortion’.
As consultant psychiatrists we strongly urge Parliament to introduce legislation ensuring that women seeking abortion are fully informed about the possible consequences of their abortion decision.
ANDREW SIMS
Past President Royal College of Psychiatrist; Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, University of Leeds
PATRICIA CASEY
Professor of Psychiatry, University College, Dublin; Consultant Psychiatrist, Mater Hospital
CHRISTOPHER FINDLAY
Consultant Psychiatrist, Cheshire
NICK LAND
Consultant Psychiatrist, Middlesborough
SUNIL RAHEJA
Consultant Psychiatrist, London
ADRIAN TRELOAR
Consultant Psychiatrist, London"