Every year, approximately 1.2 million babies are aborted, leaving 240,000 mothers facing grief and severe depression (Angelo). Many women often feel pressured to have an abortion due to factors such as financial instability, inconvenience or social advice from parents and partners. However, they are ill informed about the various risks that come afterward. Just like women that experience miscarriages and deaths of their children, women who have undergone abortion face similar emotions of sadness and regret (Angelo). Sadly, some women even develop a pattern of substance abuse to “cure” their feelings (Reardon). This reaction is called Post Abortion Stress Syndrome, which affects one in every five women who have an abortion (Speckhard). Post Abortion Stress Syndrome can be greatly reduced by creating effectual support groups, providing necessary information about post-abortion risks beforehand and including abortion education in high school health curriculums.

First, let's learn how it began from the beginning...
    Before Roe v. Wade, abortion was performed illegally and unprofessionally, being banned in many states (Abortion). It become an issue in 1970 when a woman named Norma McCorvey, from Dallas, Texas, wished to terminate her unplanned pregnancy (Roe v. Wade). McCorvey became famously known under the pseudonym 'Jane Roe' to protect her identity (Roe v. Wade). With the help of two lawyers, McCorvey prosecuted Henry Wade, the district attorney of Dallas County, claiming that the state's restriction on abortion jeopardized her rights as a woman (Walters). The Texas court upheld their decision to maintain their anti-abortion law (Roe v. Wade). The case then went to the United States Supreme Court where it was overturned by a 7-2 vote, claiming the law violated women's right of privacy under the Fourteenth Amendment (Roe v. Wade). Since then, approximately 45 million babies have been aborted (Angelo).    
    Shortly after abortion was legalized, millions of women flooded into the abortion clinics. However, many of them left feeling horror, regret, guilt and unresolved grief (Speckhard). To lessen the stress of the abortion experience, several studies have determined that approximately 22% of women develop problems with drugs and alcohol (Reardon). Even Norma McCorvey, the face of abortion-rights, has since realized she was wrong. Her outlook changed when a religious group moved next door to the abortion clinic she managed (Walters). She claimed her life was filled with alcohol, drugs and abortion (Walters). Norma now speaks at various conferences where she helps women with post abortion stress syndrome (Walters). "I knew I was to blame, watching empty playgrounds," said McCorvey (Walters). By telling of her life and experience in the abortion industry, McCorvey has helped many women with post-abortion needs.
    Currently, there are very few sources of treatment for post abortion stress syndrome. There are numerous therapists to help women cope with their emotional issues; however, the majority of women do not seek their services. This is not because they do not want to get help; it is simply because of ignorance. Most women do not know that there is even a diagnosis for the feelings they are experiencing. They merely hide their emotions and develop a deep sense of denial. On the other hand, there are women who realize that they are facing mental issues, but they do not know where to get help. I spoke with a woman, Jennifer Gentry, who had an abortion 25 years ago and faced post abortion stress syndrome. "I did not cope with my problem because I did not know how. It was just a burden I carried," said Jennifer (Gentry).

What can we do to help this problem??
    Support groups and abortion psychologists would greatly help women who feel distraught after the procedure. For Example, the Catholic Church sponsors a very effective support group called "Project Rachel," named after the biblical wife of Jacob (Brewer). Project Rachel began twenty years ago in Wisconsin to help both men and women cope with post-abortion emotions (Brewer). The organization provides many services such as weekend retreats, counseling, and group discussions. However, not all men and women feel comfortable being affiliated with the Catholic Church, as some of them may be of another religion or denomination. If an unbiased, objective establishment were to be created and publicized, many women with post abortion stress syndrome would come to cope with their problems. "I wish there was a place for me like a caring pregnancy center," says Norma McCorvey when reminiscing her abortion experiences (Walters). The key to success is making sure women know help is there if they need it.
    Abortion is the least regulated medical procedure in the United States (Cox). Women have both physical and psychological problems from abortion due to many unsafe, unlicensed doctors. They are  extremely ill informed about potential risks that come after the procedure. Senate Bill 125, Proposed by Senator Katie Stine, and the House Bill 585 requires all women to have a meeting with the physician, in person, to discuss the risk of complications (Covington). However, the "honor system" regulation of this Informed Consent law allows much room for illegal activity. Many of these "meetings" are not even face-to-face, but recorded, optional messages by phone (Cox). Therefore, the majority of women who have abortions are not even adequately educated on the emotional stress or health complications that may come from the operation. The Informed Consent law desperately needs to be revised and enforced in an effectual manner. Whether one is for or against abortion, it is a woman's right to know the facts. Also, abortion clinics should provide pamphlets for the potential patients to review before making a final decision. It is imperative that concerned citizens inform congressmen of this problem so it can be corrected immediately. If women know the effects beforehand, they will be less likely to have an abortion, and post abortion stress syndrome would be significantly reduced.
    Every year in the United States, one million teen girls become pregnant (Speckhard). Of these, nearly 40% terminate their pregnancies  (Speckhard). Teenage girls who choose to abort their children are even more vulnerable to post abortion stress syndrome.  Due to their constantly changing hormones, the emotional stress of an abortion leaves them in a great state of depression (Speckhard). This is why it is very important that abortion education be included in high school curriculums. Young adults need to know that hemorrhaging, infection, perforation, escalated risk for breast cancer and post abortion stress syndrome follow abortions, because one day, they may contemplate whether or not to have one (Abortion Risks). By protesting and making propositions to local and state legislatures to revise the health curriculum, young adults can be well informed and make better choices as they grow older.
    The only way to help post abortion stress syndrome is to realize the extent of the problem and take action to resolve it. If those concerned work together to create support groups, all women suffering post-abortion effects would have an effective way to work out their issues. Also, it must be ensured that all necessary information is provided to both men and women before the procedure. This way, they can make an educated decision on whether or not to follow through with an abortion. Last, by adding abortion education to the Ohio state health curriculum, young adults can learn the risks and effects early on and help them cope with any future issues. Consider these words while envisioning a young woman, stressed and helpless from the sense of loss she is feeling from having an abortion. This sad, vulnerable state can be easily reversed if concerned citizens stand up, initiate change and bring hope to this situation.