Powerful Reasons Why Caring for a New Dad’s Mental Health is Important
February can be a tricky month. On one hand, it is known as ‘the month of love,’ as Valentine’s Day falls right in the middle. On the other, it is well known that many people get the ‘February blues,’ and for good reason with its cold wintry weather and Daylight Savings still a month away to signal longer days.
While much research has been done in postpartum depression and some understanding is starting to form around perinatal mental health, the conversation around men’s mental health during pregnancy and fatherhood has been less discussed.
Despite the spotlight being primarily on mothers, research from McGill University tells us: “… a significant number of first-time expectant fathers experience depression during their partner’s pregnancy.”
‘At what should be one of the happiest moments of our lives, caring for a partner suffering mental ill health when a new baby arrives is a difficult and often lonely experience (…). These days dads and partners are rightly expected to be more hands on and (NHS) mental health services also need to step up and support families at times of extreme stress and anxiety.’
- Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of National Health Service, England.
Research studies done by our team have found that healthy partner relationships are one of the five major pillars to supporting emotionally healthy moms. To do this we need to start by making sure that the mental health needs of men are also met.
‘Mental illnesses are cruel and they seem doubly cruel when they affect parents making that transition into family life. The expansion of perinatal mental health services (…) helps to ensure mums with severe perinatal mental illnesses receive the help they need, when they need it. It is essential to support those people who care for these mums the most - their partners.’
- Dr. Giles Berrisford, Associate National Clinical Director for Perinatal Mental Health for National Health Service, England.
What are are some triggers that may be causing conflict between you and your partner?
