This week we marked International Fathers’ Mental Health Day, an annual event aimed at highlighting the unique mental health strengths and needs that fathers have.
According to a recent survey, an alarming 65% of dads admit that having children negatively impacted their mental health, citing the top 5 contributing factors as lack of time, change in relationship dynamic, additional responsibilities, financial issues, and lack of sleep.
The same survey, conducted by Snuz in collaboration with dadsnet, also found that 67% of dads felt that there are insufficient resources and a distinct lack of support available to them, which is especially concerning considering the high percentage feeling a strain on their mental health.
Additionally, over half of dads surveyed disclosed feelings of apprehension about discussing mental health issues with their partner if it relates to their child.
Having a baby is undoubtedly a precious thing, but it does take some getting used to, and with the new statistics now available, and the reality that 1 in 10 men will suffer some form of Post Natal Depression, there is clearly a need to put this on the agenda.
Over the years a number of inspirational speakers have been kind enough to share their experiences of mental health issues in fatherhood, PTSD and post-natal depression with Maternity & Midwifery festival audiences. We have also heard some fantastic presentations on how we can help support the needs of fathers in their transition to fatherhood.
Catch up on some of the best presentations below, and keep in mind the importance of listening to fathers’ voices.
Perinatal Mental Health: Supporting all Parents for Better Outcomes
Mark Williams, Founder, Fathers Reaching Out
Pregnancy as a Widower and Fear of Birth
Pete Wallroth, Founder and Chief Executive of Mummy’s Star
Becoming dad: identifying the support needs of fathers in their transition to parenthood
Shelly Higgins, Consultant Midwife and Elizabeth Glyn-Jones, Community Midwife, Powys Teaching Health Board
Dad matters to mum, to baby, to everyone
Kieran Anders, Dad Matters Project Manager, Home-Start Oldham, Stockport and Tameside
Parent’s Voices
Sue Macdonald, Chair and Curator Midwifery Festival Conferences & Maternity and Midwifery Hour
Mark Williams, Campaigner, Author, Speaker, Fathers Reaching Out
Professor Julia Sanders, Professor of Clinical Nursing & Midwifery, Cardiff University
Paul Rushworth
Maternity & Midwifery Forum