A Third Of New Dads Worry About Their Mental Health

It’s not just mothers who can struggle to cope with their new parenting duties – two in five dads are worried about their own mental health, says NCT.

The parenting charity is encouraging men to speak up about their experiences, after stats have revealed that more dads than ever are finding fatherhood overwhelming.

NCT invited parents to complete an online questionnaires throughout their baby’s first and second years. Of the 296 first-time dads who were polled, 38 per cent said they were concerned about their mental wellbeing – not surprising when you factor in the sleepless nights, concern about their new child and partner and all of the other extra responsibilities that come with parenthood.

NCT psychologist Dr Abigail Easter says that there’s a worrying lack of awareness and support of perinatal depression, which refers to the collective name for depression which occurs either before or after a baby’s birth.

“Postnatal depression is typically associated with mothers and often fathers are forgotten during this important time, with almost no specific support available to men,” says Dr Easter.

“Sadly, stigma around mental health still exists and many men may find it difficult to confide in others about how they are feeling. It may be particularly difficult for dads to open up following the birth of their baby when there are additional expectations on new fathers.”

Dr Easter says that women should look out for the warning signs that their partner may be struggling to cope. These may include crying or not being able to sleep.

“If women think their partners are struggling, then opening up a dialogue is often the first step to helping men access appropriate support,” says Dr Easter. She says that the burden of being a modern dad could be to blame, in addition to traditional pressures of fatherhood such as increased financial responsibility.

The survey, supported by Pampers, showed just how hands-on today’s dads are with over two thirds of dads claiming they equally share the responsibility for caring for their baby at night. But the mums didn’t always agree with this – with 45 per cent responding that they shared equal responsibility.

Contrary to belief, there is plenty of help available for both new mums and dads. The NHS advises that plenty of rest, relaxation and gentle exercise as possible can help as well as eating a healthy and balanced diet. If you’re worried that either you or your partner have postnatal depression, chat to your GP or visit the NHS’s website for more information and support.

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