Psychologists Support Counselling For Women Considering Abortion In Northern Ireland

Main Category: Abortion
Also Included In: Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 12 Sep 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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A consultation on guidance for pregnancy terminations by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for Northern Ireland (DHSSPSNI) has been welcomed by the British Psychological Society.

The guidelines aim to clarify the circumstances in which a termination of pregnancy is legal in Northern Ireland and outline what mental health services are required for women dealing with this issue.

The Society supports the guidance as being a positive step forward by helping to formally document some of the sensitive and challenging issues that surround terminations. In particular, the need for psychological counselling for women undergoing or considering a termination was recognised.

However, the Society has recommended that the DHSSPSNI should also consider the needs of women and their families who decide not to have a termination and continue the pregnancy by offering them ongoing access to counselling services.

Dr Nchola Rooney, Chair of the Society's NI Branch commented; 'The Branch commend the DHSSPSNI for initiating this consultation and enabling dialogue in what is a sensitive area. We fully support the consultation and would like to see women offered psychological support regardless of their ultimate decision and also a recognition of the needs of fathers.

Given the key role of mental health in the law on termination in NI, it is essential to provide adequate funding for the provision of timely services across the full range of mental health needs.'

The British Psychology Society