WELLINGTON New Zealands bishops are urging the Government to address questions raised in a study on the links between abortion and mental health. A University of Otago longitudinal study of more than 500 women found that abortion can increase the risk of developing problems like depression and anxiety.

The study by Professor David Fergusson and colleagues published in the November edition of the British Journal of Psychiatry also found that the risk of mental illness was proportional to the degree of distress associated with the abortion.

In New Zealand, 98 per cent of abortions are authorised on the grounds of avoiding possible mental health harm to the woman.

The researchers concluded that there is currently no evidence to support the assumptions underlying that, and the findings suggest abortion may increase mental health risks among those women who find seeking and obtaining an abortion a distressing experience.

Archbishop John Dew of Wellington says the effects of an abortion on mental health are a concern for the Catholic Church.

The Church has a real concern for those who might suffer depression or anxiety and develop mental health problems as a result of having an abortion, he said, pointing to Catholic efforts like Project Rachel that show care and compassion for those affected by the abortion process.

Family Life Internationals Brendan Malone said the Otago research is one of several new studies showing women dont receive all the facts when they seek an abortion in New Zealand.

Counselling for New Zealand women seeking an abortion is woefully inadequate, he said.

In the vast majority of cases, abortion counselling in New Zealand merely consists of ticking a series of boxes, and women are very rarely, if ever, informed of the scientifically established risks that they will be exposing themselves to, and the support that is available to them to pursue alternatives to abortion.

Mr Malone said FLIs post-abortion counsellors often hear from women who say they were never informed of all the risks and options before deciding on an abortion.

These women say they might not have had an abortion if they were better informed.

When women dont have all the information, they are hardly making a free and informed decision, despite the rhetoric about choice from pro-abortion lobbyists, Mr Malone said.