Maine Voice: Overturning Roe poses risks to mothers’ mental health

In view of the decision of the Supreme Court To overturn Roe v. Wade, There has been much discussion about the relationship between the mental health of people seeking abortions. They argue that people who oppose abortion have a higher risk of mental illness. Research shows otherwise.

Postpartum depression, the risk after pregnancy, is not fair Unexamined And undiagnosed and has serious consequences on the life of a person after pregnancy. such as abortion restrictions Applicable throughout the United States It is important for both federal and local governments to invest more in research on postpartum depression—and to make this information more widely available.

“Strong and long-term psychological research shows that people who are denied abortions are more likely to experience higher levels of anxiety, life satisfaction, and lower self-esteem than those who are able to have an abortion,” said Frank C. Worrell, president of the American Psychological Association. In a recent statement.

The relationship between pregnancy and mental health risks goes beyond abortion. All pregnant women are at risk postpartum depression, Postpartum depression and severe mental illness.

One of seven women They experience postpartum depression. However, this number may be low due to the large number of undiagnosed women. Although postpartum depression is not officially recognized by the psychiatric community. Until 1994 The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates wrote about the symptoms to 460 BC The significant delay in recognizing postpartum depression underscores the dangers of what philosopher Miranda Fricker calls out. “Interpretive Injustice”. Discrimination and prejudice against marginalized people due to lack of resources to express and understand their experiences.

Postpartum depression affects many people, but it is especially prevalent among people of color. Supposedly 38 percent of mothers of color They also experience postpartum depression, approximately twice as many mothers experience it at 14 percent. It gets worse: People of color who experience severe postpartum depression are also more likely to have it undiagnosed.

This under-diagnosis is due to lack of awareness that some mental health symptoms are due to pregnancy. It is because of the stereotypes about minorities that health professionals have to remove their symptoms.

In addition, there are still special experiences of people of color with postpartum depression very researched, It makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose minorities with it. Going undiagnosed with postpartum depression can have detrimental health effects. Suicide is the leading cause of maternal death among those with postpartum depression.

Philosopher Fricker proposed two ways to combat this – improving access to all available resources and investing in creating new resources. To properly address postpartum depression, we need to fund more research into this mental illness, focusing on the experiences of people of color, and more education and training for medical professionals in the diagnosis and treatment of postpartum depression.

After Roe v. Wade was overturned, Addressing pregnancy-related mental illness is more important than ever.

« Previous

Next »

Related stories