Women Who Abort Are Six Times More Likely to Commit Suicide
by David C. Reardon, Ph.D.
Examining the recent medical history of suicide victims, researchers in Finland found a strong association between abortion and suicide. In their findings, published in the British Medical Journal (Mika Gissler, Elina Hemminki, Jouko Lonnqvist, “Suicides after pregnancy in Finland: 1987-94: register linkage study” British Medical Journal 313:1431-4, 1996) they report that “The suicide rate after an abortion was three times the general suicide rate and six times that associated with birth.”
These findings are consistent with previous studies that have found that giving birth reduces the risk of suicide compared to the “normal” population while abortion increases the risk of suicide. Unfortunately, this study looked for an abortion only in the one year before the suicide. Because most women report a delayed post-abortion reaction, it is very possible that most abortion related suicides would occur in subsequent years.
Originally published in The Post-Abortion Review 5(1) Winter 1997. Copyright 1997 Elliot Institute
Learn More:
Abortion Four Times Deadlier Than Childbirth
Informed Consent Booklets Hide True Risks of Abortion
Two Senseless Deaths: The Long Road to Recovery
Abortionists Are Not Held Accountable for Mistakes
