A peer-reviewed, long-term study from the Journal of Psychiatric Research regarding the serious mental health risks associated with abortion expose what we have observed over the last 40 years with thousands of women and men from across the U.S. and internationally who have attended our programs for healing after abortion.
The study, a large-scale analysis published in July 2025, tracked over 1.2 million pregnancies in Canadian hospitals over a period of up to 17 years. The research found a significant association between induced abortion and an increased risk of mental health issues requiring hospitalization.
Key findings from the study include:
- Women who had an abortion were more likely to be hospitalized for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use disorders, compared to women who gave birth.
- The risk of mental health-related hospitalization was greatest within the first five years following the procedure.
- The findings remained statistically significant even after accounting for factors such as socioeconomic status and pre-existing mental illness, suggesting a strong link between the abortion experience and the subsequent development of painful symptoms.
Clinical findings confirm the Research
This investigation provides critical validation for what we have witnessed in 40 years of counseling women and men suffering a host of mental health problems, trauma responses and prolonged grief disorder following abortion.
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Lisa took part in a Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreat and her comments afterward mirror many of the key symptoms reflected in the empirical data.
“Honestly, this has been the best experience I’ve had in learning to deal with the loss of abortion and all that goes with it. I have been avoiding this for decades and just shut down so many years of my life because of the pain. My behavior and my goals were all deeply impacted by the abortions, but I never addressed it and never realized just how much it impacted every part of my life. For 40 years I lived with self-hatred, deep sadness, depression, and anxiety. I avoided children, parks, families and building friendships because I was not worth it. I always said I did not want children…turns out I always did.”
The healing process extended to her husband as well:
“Even though I’m not the biological father, by joining my wife on the Rachel’s Vineyard retreat, I grew in compassion and finally understood the suffering she had silently endured for so many years. This retreat was very eye-opening and comforting, as she was able to break through years of crippling depression and despair. It was so profound to have the opportunity to participate in the memorial service and spiritually adopt the children she lost. It allowed me to support her in such a meaningful way by including them as part of my own life as we honored the lost babies and grieved together.
A Call for Greater Awareness and Hope
It is crucial that research continues to confirm what we see in clinical practice and in ministries. Hopefully, this evidence will open the hearts and minds of medical and mental health professionals, as well as clergy and ministers, to understand the proven connection between complicated grief after abortion and the painful symptoms that can be associated with that loss.
Most importantly, they can now share the hope that healing, recovery and peace are possible for those suffering and that they are not alone.
LifeNews Note: Theresa and Kevin Burke are the founders of Rachels Vineyard Ministries Theresa also created a week program for abuse in a retreat setting entitled Grief to Grace – Healing the wounds of Abuse. Her latest treatment model Duty to Heal – Finding Peace for a Soldiers Heart is another week long retreat that addresses the moral injury and trauma suffered by military veterans and first responders.
