Public health specialist, Madam Anita Asamoah has provided valuable insights into the impact of abortion on mental health, drawing from the context of Ghanaian actress Yvonne Nelson‘s memoir, “I Am Not Yvonne Nelson.”
Speaking on a Twitter Space conversation held on TV3’s Twitter account, Madam Asamoah said there was the utmost need to promote open dialogue and understanding when discussing sensitive topics such as abortion.
Madam Anita Asamoah’s insightful discussion shed light on the impact of abortion on mental health, highlighting the importance of open conversations, emotional care, and personal responsibility.
According to the mental health expert, it was important to treat everyone as equals and encourage open discussions without judgment.
She stressed that by allowing individuals to express themselves and share their experiences, we can create an environment where they feel heard and supported.
“Everybody is important and should be treated as such. No one is more important than the other, irrespective of gender. Just because someone is a male and married doesn’t make the person more important than the other,” she said on the micro-blogging website.
Acknowledging that mental health is crucial for overall well-being, she urged society to refrain from silencing those who are trying to open up.
“Now, the mental state of individuals are very important. You see, we don’t shut people up when they are trying to open up because a lot of us have burdens on our shoulders.T he more they talk, they open up and they are free. So as a people, I think we should have this at the back of our minds and stop shutting people down when they are trying to open up,” he advised.
Addressing Hypocrisy and Providing Emotional Care
During the conversation, she also spoke against the hypocrisy surrounding abortion, especially among Ghanaians, highlighting research that suggests many individuals fear pregnancy more than HIV.
“Another thing is the hypocrisy of a lot of us on abortion. I don’t understand. A lot of you are more scared of pregnancy than HIV from research we’ve been doing in Ghana here. Yet a lot of abortions go on,” she revealed
Contrary to popular assumptions, she stated that Yvonne Nelson’s memoir did not primarily focus on the act of abortion itself but rather on the emotional aftercare that was lacking.
“So I have been reading the post on Twitter and Facebook and you are all about the abortion. No, from that part of the book, I don’t think she was even really about abortion,” she explained “It was the aftercare she didn’t get, which was emotional to her, I think. I think she was referring to and this tells us that as men when you go for an abortion, I mean, you ought to go for abortion with your partner or with your wife”
Encouraging Responsibility and Seeking DNA Testing
Madam Anita also took the opportunity to encourage individuals to take responsibility for their actions and make informed choices.
“You should know that you should be there to give some care and thoughts emotionally because it’s traumatizing. So as men, you should be there for them when you opt for abortion,” she said
She urged men to participate actively in discussions around abortion and emphasized the importance of wearing condoms for contraception.
“And then men also, I see that most men don’t want to be mentioned in connection with any abortion. So please, and please try as much as possible to take responsibility for your actions or wear condoms. So please, and please try as much as possible to take responsibility for your action,” she pointed out.
Additionally, she highlighted the availability of DNA testing in Ghana, advising those with doubts to engage in open conversations with their partners and seek testing when necessary.
“DNA testing is very readily available in Ghana. When you are in doubt, please and please talk with your partner and go for DNA testing. There’s a reason why I’m saying this,” she added.
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