About one third of Irish psychiatrists who treat adults have signed a statement rejecting a draft government proposal that psychiatrists should assess women seeking who are threatening suicide. One of a group of psychiatrists involved in discussion with the Irish government told the Irish Independent that “there is no evidence that abortion is a treatment for suicidality in pregnancy and may in fact be harmful to women.” 113 of about 300 practitioners have signed a statement to that effect. [Irish Independent]
Nothing in the position taken by the group necessarily indicates opposition to abortion. Objection is taken to a process that would require them to make assessments that would serve no valid medical purpose and that could harm the patients.