New Clinton email controversy

[Pat Mustard]

Suicidal ideation is not the same as something like schizophrenia (with an uncle who was schizophrenic, I've a vague idea of how bad that is), and while an abortion won't get rid of the underlying medical problems the sufferer is under, the fact that the event that is causing the person to contemplate and plan a suicide event is a big help in giving the medical authorities the space and time to be able to deal with the underlying issues and hopefully cure the problem.

It's no different ethically than giving a pregnant woman chemotherapy that would kill the foetus to cure her cancer.

I see your point.  But, I think ethically speaking, there wouldn't be any reason not to at least attempt treatment first if her physician recommends it, and the woman consents to that particular plan of care.  Some anti-depressants/anti-anxiety meds are safe to use during pregnancy where appropriate, depending on the patient's symptoms and underlying condition.  

Honestly, I can imagine scenarios where abortion is the safest, most appropriate clinical decision, as well as scenarios where taking a shot at treatment first is a better option.  Either way, I agree with you 100% that such decisions should be between a woman and her clinician.  NOT the government.  

Sometimes abortion is part of the treatment. The fact of the matter is that suicidal ideation isn't the stage where you're thinking of suicide but the stage where you're planning it out, ie you've already made your decision and are looking to implement it. In cases like that professionals have to remove the immediate danger before dealing with the underlying problems. And in a case of a woman whio's pregnant and the thought of having a baby is driving her to suicide, an abortion is a medically valid procedure (with consent naturally).

In case you're wondering I'm not an expert, but I've had some training in suicide prevention work as part of the club's social and wellbeing responsibilities (you can easily find things to criticise the GAA for, but they take their social responsibility seriously), mostly in the area of spotting issues and dealing with people who look for help.