Affirming Choice
We, the following divisions and affiliate organizations of the American Counseling Association: the Association for Specialists in Group Work, the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities, the American College Counseling Association, Counselors for Social Justice, the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, the Association for Creativity in Counseling, the Association of Counseling Sexology and Sexual Wellness, and the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, wish to address the implications of the May 2, 2022 leaked draft opinion of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the landmark 1973 case of Roe v. Wade. The court’s holding will not be final until it is published, likely in the next two months, however; and it is unclear if there have been subsequent changes to the draft.
Should Roe v. Wade be overturned and turn back 50 years of progress (NPWF, 2022), estimates indicate that 24 states are likely to increase restrictions or ban abortion. This includes 13 states where bans would occur immediately through so-called ‘trigger laws’ (Center for Reproductive Rights, 2022). While Roe v. Wade is popularly associated with the right to abortion, overturning it will affect much more. If the Court nullifies Roe v. Wade, authority to govern and police the most personal decisions about bodies, including bodies of color, women-identified, queer, trans, and non-binary bodies will be assigned to the States. This act will ultimately punish those communities of people most economically challenged and marginalized, adding to the obstacles they face in health care. Reproductive rights affect access to a continuum of services from life-saving obstetrics care to contraception, maternal health care, and safe termination of pregnancy. Reproductive rights are associated with protection from forced sterilization, child marriage, and effects of sexual abuse and assault.
We understand people with uteruses choose abortion for critical health reasons and to address a variety of developmental, mental health, and social challenges. These challenges include socio economic instability, partner issues, lack of social support, the needs of existing children, and perceived level of emotional and cognitive maturity to care for a child. Although research has shown that having an abortion is not associated with long-term adverse mental health outcomes, those who have been denied abortion services experience heightened levels of stress, internalized stigma, depression, and lowered self-esteem (Biggs et al., 2017; Harris et al., 2014).
We are also aware that forced pregnancy increases the chance of postpartum mental health issues (Herd et al., 2016) including depression and anxiety, as well as an increase in occurrences of domestic violence or intimate partner violence (Lang et al., 2007). Empirical evidence does not support that bans on abortion result in fewer abortions or fewer unwanted pregnancies. What the evidence does show is that limiting and banning abortion services increases the likelihood of unsafe abortions, especially for those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged. Where abortion is banned, unsafe abortions account for 8-11% of maternal death (Guttmacher Institute, 2017).
We unconditionally affirm that, as mental health professionals, we believe in the empowerment of women and that all human beings have rights to privacy and personal decision-making about their own bodies. These include:
- the right to own one’s gender identity; choose to be named and be addressed by one’s personal pronouns;
- to make the choice of whether to have children based on accurate, empirically-based information and resources;
- to choose to have children either biologically or through other means regardless of one’s status or perceived worthiness or capacity, and to have full access to the health services necessary to support the pregnancy;
- to be responsible for raising those children in ways that protect their wellbeing and safety and nurture their eventual autonomy, while having adequate and accessible social assistance in the form of childcare, parental support, education and recreation;
- to decide for oneself if a pregnancy is unwanted or if it is impossible to meet one’s obligations to the future child, and to not have that choice criminalized or punished;
- to choose not to have children and have those choices unconditionally honored;
- to have or not have children on one’s own timing and to access contraceptive options regardless of gender;
- and to change one’s perspective or stance on any of these positions and not be shamed for learning from experience.
References
Biggs, M. A., Upadhyay, U. D., McCulloch, C.E., & Foster, D.G. (2017). Women’s mental health and well-being 5 years after receiving or being denied an abortion: A prospective, longitudinal cohort study. JAMA Psychiatry, 74(2) 169–178. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.3478
Center for Reproductive Rights (nd). What if Roe fell? https://reproductiverights.org/maps/what-if-roe-fell/
Guttmacher Institute (2017). Abortion worldwide: Uneven progress and unequal access. https://www.guttmacher.org/report/abortion-worldwide-2017
Harris, L.F., Roberts S.C.M., Biggs, M.A, Rocca, C.H., & Foster, D.G. (2014). Perceived stress and emotional social support among women who are denied or receive abortions in the United States: A prospective cohort study. BMC Womens Health 14(1), 1-11.
Herd, P., Higgins, J., Sicinski, K., Merkurieva, I. (2016). The implications of unintended pregnancies for mental health in later life. American Journal of Public Health. 106(3) 421-429. doi:10.2105/ajph.2015.302973
Lang, D.L., Salazar, L.F., Wingood, G.M., DiClemente, R.J., & Mikhail, I. (2007). Associations between recent gender-based violence and pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, condom use practices, and negotiation of sexual practices among HIV-positive women. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 46(2) 216–221.
National partnership for Women & Families (2022). Timeline: 50 years of progress. https://www.nationalpartnership.org/about-us/making-herstory-timeline.html
Rasch, V. (2011). Unsafe abortion and postabortion care – An overview. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 90, 692-700. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0412.2011.01165.x
This statement was crafted by Devika Dibya Choudhuri (ASGW), Deborah Rubel (ACES), Tamekia Bell (SAIGE), Delila Owens (CSJ), LoriAnn Stretch (ACC), Angela Coker (AMCD), and Angela Schubert and Christina McGrath Fair (ACSSW).
Below please find a listing of resources for action, assistance, and empowerment.
Advocacy Resources for Action:
| Amnesty.org | Basic facts about Abortion |
| Center for Reproductive Rights | Resources, activism, and research |
| Gynopedia | A nonprofit organization that runs an open resource wiki for sexual, reproductive, and women’s health care around the world |
| Guttmacher Institute | A primary source for research and policy analysis on abortion in the United States. |
| National Abortion Federation | The mission of the National Abortion Federation is to unite, represent, serve, and support abortion providers in delivering patient-centered, evidence-based care. |
| National Network of Abortion Funds | Connects you with organizations that can support your financial and logistical needs as you arrange for your abortion. |
| Planned Parenthood | A Comprehensive Guide for Unplanned Pregnancy |
| RAINN | National Sexual Assault Hotline |
| Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice | A network of ministers and rabbis that refer women to abortion providers they had researched and found to be safe |
| Texas Equal Access Fund | Provides emotional and financial support to people who are seeking abortion care. |
| Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project | Helps bridge the financial gap for women who seek an abortion or emergency contraceptives. |
Help Terminating a Pregnancy:
AbortionFinder – With more than 750 health centers, AbortionFinder.org features the most comprehensive directory of trusted (and verified) abortion service providers in the United States.
Afiya Center – their mission is to transform the lives, health, and overall well-being of Black women and girls by providing refuge, education, and resources. They act to ignite the communal voices of Black women resulting in our full achievement of reproductive freedom.
AidAccess – consists of a team of doctors, activists, and advocates for abortion rights that help people access abortion or miscarriage treatment.
All-Options Talkline and linked resources – Pregnancy, Parenting, Abortion & Adoption
Arkansas Abortion Support Network
Bridge Collective – provides practical and responsive abortion services to Central Texas
Buckle Bunnies Fund – provides practical support for people seeking abortions. Help with transportation, funds to help with hotels, lodging costs, and emergency contraceptive funds to go towards abortion.
Carafem – helps with abortion, birth control, and questions about reproductive healthcare. They do consultations online and send abortion pills in the mail.
Cobalt Abortion Fund – provides direct financial assistance to individuals seeking abortion care. Our mission is to work toward reproductive freedom for all people and to provide financial assistance without judgment or question to people who seek an abortion but are unable to pay the full cost.
Faith Aloud – compassionate religious and spiritual support for abortion and pregnancy options
Frontera Fund – makes abortion accessible in the Rio Grande Valley (Texas) by providing financial and practical support regardless of immigration status, gender identity, ability, sexual orientation, race, class, age, or religious affiliation and to build grassroots organizing power at intersecting issues across our region to shift the culture of shame and stigma.
HeyJane – Modern abortion care, without the clinic, Get fast, safe, and affordable abortion care from home. Chat with a medical provider within 36 hours. Medications are shipped daily.
If/When/Now – reproductive legal helpline about your legal rights for at home abortion.
International Consortium on Emergency Contraception – Emergency Oral Contraceptive Doses for Birth Control, U.S.
Jane’s Due Process – helps minors in Texas with judicial bypass for abortion, navigate parental consent laws and confidentially access abortion and birth control. They provide free legal support, 1-on-1 case management, and stigma-free information on sexual and reproductive health.
Justice Empowerment Network – focuses on abortion access in South Dakota
Kentucky Health Justice Network – helps with both abortion care and gender-affirming care in Kentucky
Lillith Fund – the oldest abortion fund in Texas, serving the central and southern regions of the state with direct financial assistance for abortions.
M+A Hotline – a hotline for those self-managing abortion or miscarriage. Includes links to where to obtain pills.
Mississippi Reproductive Freedom Fund
Northwest Abortion Access Fund – provides funds to help folks in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska Plan C Pills – provides up-to-date information on how people in the U.S. are accessing abortion pills online
Repro Legal Helpline – a free, confidential helpline where you can get information about your legal rights
regarding self-managed abortion.
Safe to Choose – provides accurate information on safe abortion options
Sister Song – mission is to strengthen and amplify the collective voices of indigenous women and women of
color to achieve reproductive justice by eradicating reproductive oppression and securing human rights.
Westfund – focuses on Latino and low-income communities
Women on Web – an online abortion service that can help you do a safe abortion with pills.
Yellowhammer Fund – abortion fund and reproductive justice organization serving Alabama and the Deep South.
Places to Donate to for Pro-Choice Options:
Afiya Center – their mission is to transform the lives, health, and overall well-being of Black women and girls by providing refuge, education, and resources. They act to ignite the communal voices of Black women resulting in our full achievement of reproductive freedom.
Avow Texas – works to secure unrestricted abortion access for every Texan.
Bridge Collective – provides practical and responsive abortion services to Central Texas
Buckle Bunnies Fund – provides practical support for people seeking abortions. Help with transportation, funds to help with hotels, lodging costs, and emergency contraceptive funds to go towards abortion.
Clinic Access Support Network – mobilizing the power of volunteers, CASN provides transportation, meal stipends, accommodations, childcare assistance, and compassionate care to people seeking abortion services in Houston.
Cobalt Abortion Fund – provides direct financial assistance to individuals seeking abortion care. Our mission is to work toward reproductive freedom for all people and to provide financial assistance without judgment or question to people who seek an abortion but are unable to pay the full cost.
Frontera Fund – makes abortion accessible in the Rio Grande Valley (Texas) by providing financial and practical support regardless of immigration status, gender identity, ability, sexual orientation, race, class, age, or religious affiliation and to build grassroots organizing power at intersecting issues across our region to shift the culture of shame and stigma.
Fund Texas Choice – helps Texans equitably access abortion through safe, confidential, and comprehensive travel services and practical support.
Jane’s Due Process – helps minors in Texas with judicial bypass for abortion, navigate parental consent laws and confidentially access abortion and birth control. They provide free legal support, 1-on-1 case management, and stigma-free information on sexual and reproductive health.
Kentucky Health Justice Network – helps with both abortion care and gender-affirming care in Kentucky
Lillith Fund – the oldest abortion fund in Texas, serving the central and southern regions of the state with direct financial assistance for abortions.
Mississippi Reproductive Freedom Fund
National Network of Abortion Funds – connects you with organizations that can support your financial and
logistical needs as you arrange for your abortion.
Northwest Abortion Access Fund – provides funds to help folks in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska
Sister Song – mission is to strengthen and amplify the collective voices of indigenous women and women of
color to achieve reproductive justice by eradicating reproductive oppression and securing human rights.
Westfund – focuses on Latino and low-income communities
Yellowhammer Fund – abortion fund and reproductive justice organization serving Alabama and the Deep South.
Get Involved in Politics/Activism:
Who Are My Representatives – Use this to find your representatives and elected officials on a federal, state, and local level
How to Register to Vote – Check here to see if you are registered to vote. If you are not, 40 States Plus DC allows you to register online
Request an Absentee Ballot – Request an absentee ballot if you can’t vote on election day
Ballotpedia – Research who is on your ballot, and links to their websites and positions
Volunteer from Home – Master document of candidates and how to phonebank for them
EMILY’s List – Elect candidates in favor of abortion rights and represent the people they serve.
Tech for Campaigns to help smaller campaigns get up and running with technology-oriented assistance.
Fair Fight – Donate/Volunteer to Stacy Abraham’s organization
Run For Something! There’s no position too small to benefit from a progressive public servant.
SwingLeft – Volunteer with a group specifically working to help progressives win elections.
dream defenders – Fighting to end the criminalization of Black youth in the united states
National Black Justice Coalition – Working towards making employment and education opportunities more inclusive for black LGBTQ members.
Women’s MarchOnline Abortion Resource Squad – Bringing accurate, supportive information about abortion to online forums