AACAP warns that abortion pill ban will lead to negative mental health outcomes

Abstract

In April, after a Texas ruling banning abortion pills, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) warned that access to reproductive health care, including safe and legal abortion, is essential to the physical, emotional, and psychological health of individuals and families. AACAP, along with all other health care organizations, noted that research shows that continues to show that restrictive abortion laws can lead to increased psychological distress and negative mental health outcomes, such as depression, anxiety, and post‐traumatic stress disorder. “We firmly believe that reproductive health care decisions should be made by individuals in consultation with their healthcare providers, without interference from the government or other third parties,” the AACAP states. “Banning abortion pills restricts access to safe and legal abortion, potentially putting individuals at risk of unsafe and illegal procedures.” In the April 12 statement, the AACAP also called on “healthcare providers to continue to provide compassionate, evidence‐based care to individuals seeking abortion services, and to advocate for policies that support reproductive health care access and equity.” The Supreme Court later gave some reassurance that this ban would not hold, but in fact, many states have already banned abortion in various ways and forms.