Thread by @APA

Welcome back to the #APA2022 Main Stage for "Reproductive Justice in the Wake of the U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Roe v. Wade". We'll be getting started in a few moments.

Reproductive justice is not just a talking point. Reproductive justice is not a slogan or campaign ad. Reproductive justice is not a soundbite to elicit cheers. Reproductive justice is a human right.—@DrMaysaAkbar #APA2022

More than 50 years of international psychological research shows that having an abortion is not linked to mental health problems. What does cause harm is restricting access to safe, legal abortions.—@DrMaysaAkbar #APA2022

There's not much you can do when you don't have access to the most intimate parts of your life. The state is going to make decisions about what happens to your body. That is chilling.—Dr. Carolyn West

Pregnant women are more likely to die by homicide than by any form of maternal mortality, often from an intimate partner. Unwanted pregnancy can contribute to higher rates of violence...also that violence can contribute to unwanted pregnancy.—Dr. Carolyn West #APA2022

Sometimes we cling to misinformation because it aligns with our beliefs.—Dr. Candice N. Hargons #APA2022

@DrMaysaAkbar: When we frame this as a women's issue, we don't process what it means for our society.

Dr. West: Reproductive justice is an everybody issue. #APA2022

When you deny people access to an abortion, it affects all aspects of their life.—@BiggsAntonia #APA2022

This idea that women can’t make their own decisions is the basis of so much legislation. And I think it’s also part of our current policy context. It’s what people use to justify denying people access to health care.—@BiggsAntonia #APA2022

Policymakers are not basing their decisions on what's good for people, and it's also not evidence-based. I would like to urge lawmakers to look at the science, we have lots of evidence that shows abortion is safe. And to trust women.—@BiggsAntonia #APA2022

Hearing all of the compounding trauma makes me angry because it's trauma that somebody doesn't have to endure. It's basically state-sponsored trauma. And I know that in some states this doesn't happen because OBs are able to follow what is medically indicated.—@drjulieb #APA2022

On reproductive justice: The world is looking at us saying 'What's going on over there?'—@drjulieb #APA2022

Psychologists haven't been at the table when we decide these really important policies. When we're not at the table we can't point out the impact on psychological well-being.—@Wizdomisms

Disparities are preventable differences between groups. We don't need to live with disparities, we choose to.—@Wizdomisms #APA2022

@DrMaysaAkbar: What can people do?

@Wizdomisms: Learn about what's happening locally. Most people think about the highest levels of government, but local has much more impact. #APA2022

Thank you for joining us for today's #APA2022 Main Stage event. We'll be back tomorrow at 11 AM CT for "The Psychology of Equal Justice".