National Day of Forgiveness and Mental Health Screening Month underscores the need for hope, resources and clarity
September 26, 2025
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Save the Storks, a national organization dedicated to empowering women facing unplanned pregnancies, is calling attention to the often-overlooked mental health consequences of abortion and points women to resources to find hope, healing, and grace.
The call comes as the United States observes the National Day of Forgiveness on September 27 and prepares for National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month in October, the organization said.
“Far too many women walk through the doors of abortion clinics believing they have no other choice,” said Save the Storks Chief Executive Officer Diane Ferraro. “What they don’t always hear is that abortion can leave emotional scars — guilt, grief and depression that may last for years. At Save the Storks, we exist to change that story. We offer clarity and compassionate support that empower women and families to confidently choose life.”
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis published by the Charlotte Lozier Institute found that abortion is significantly associated with depression and anxiety, underscoring what countless women have experienced: abortion carries not only physical consequences, but lasting emotional and spiritual pain.
Through its nationwide network of resources, Save the Storks equips women to begin their journey toward clarity and hope from the very first moment of an unplanned pregnancy. Central to this outreach are Mobile Medical Clinics (MMCs), which provide free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and counseling in communities where women often feel most isolated.
In addition, Save the Storks partners with churches and life-affirming organizations to cultivate environments where women and families are not left to face an unplanned pregnancy alone. These partnerships also provide vital spiritual support, including helping women understand forgiveness and grace — a critical step in processing grief and finding peace after abortion.
Ferraro added, “Healing and forgiveness are not only possible, but also powerful. On the National Day of Forgiveness, we are reminded that no woman’s story ends with abortion. God’s mercy offers every woman the chance to be restored, to heal, and to find new purpose. At Save the Storks, we walk alongside her, encouraging her in that journey.”
Mental health struggles, including depression and anxiety, are often compounded by the secrecy and stigma surrounding abortion. October’s National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month is an opportunity for women to break that silence. Through its online resources and community partnerships, Save the Storks provides confidential avenues for women to access help, connect with others who have walked the same path, and discover the hope of a future free from shame. As one beneficiary shared on the organization’s site, encountering support during a crisis sparked transformative hope, turning regret into renewed purpose.
The organization’s “Healing After Abortion” initiative shares powerful testimonies of women who found peace and restoration after experiencing abortion, showing others that healing is possible.
About Save the Storks
Save the Storks’ mission is to create a story of hope and empowerment for every woman facing an unplanned pregnancy. This national organization that started in 2012 focuses on four key areas of impact: Elevating women’s healthcare through strategic partnerships with pregnancy centers; Mobile Medical Clinics that bring women’s healthcare directly to where it is most needed; Church and Community partnerships; and the Digital Platform for women, offering 24/7 access with real care and real options.
Learn more about Save the Storks at www.savethestorks.com.
To interview a representative from Save the Storks, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096, ext. 105, Dawn Foglein, ext. 100, or Kristen House, khouse@hamiltonstrategies.com.
