Preventing Suicide for Men Post-Partum

Although postpartum depression is common and well-studied in mothers, many fathers also experience symptoms. Due to a lack of information or fear, many men do not discuss post-partum feelings that may lead to suicidal thoughts. The resources below can educate you on suicide among men experiencing postpartum, where you can go if you are in need of help, and how to support loved ones experiencing male post-partum.

Dads Get Postpartum Depression Too

This 2-page resource introduces post-partum for men an include helpful links to father’s struggling from postpartum or other mental health issues.

Paternal Post-Partum Depression

This 4-page fact sheets discusses what post partum is, symptoms, the impact on children and treatment options. 

Sad Dads

This 2-page factsheets describes why dads experience depression, how postpartum is different for men, signs to look for and how to get help.

Emotional Health and Wellbeing: A Guide For New dads, Partners and Other Carers

This 32 page handbook covers some of the common emotional challenges faced by new and expectant parents, and offers practical advice for partners on how to deal with these challenges. As well as this, you ‘ll find information on topics that some partners may identify as being trivial, but actually have a large impact on your mental wellbeing if they’re ignored. Adjusting your work schedule, ways to bond with your new baby, helping your partner through exhaustion and heightened emotions, and getting to know your partner again – including post-baby intimacy – are all covered in this booklet. 

For New Dads

This 16-page resource talks about the role of the new dad, sex after baby, recognizing postpartum mood disorder and help for dad and mom.

Postpartum Psychosis: A Guide For Partners

A Postpartum Psychosis is a traumatic experience for both women and their partners. Dads told the authors what they had wanted to know, and gave their ideas for coping during admission, recovery and beyond. This guide encompasses this information and gives advice how to support a partner during post-partum depression.

Fathers’ Mental Health Website

Research shows that the transition into parenthood is a vulnerable time for both women and men. New parents may encounter one or more stressors, which can put a strain on your mental health and your relationship. At the same time, it may be nearly impossible to feel like you have the energy or time to look after yourself and make use of your coping strategies and healthy activities in order to feel better. As a result, new parents may experience unresolved stress, psychological disturbances or symptoms of a mental health condition such as depression or anxiety. When men feel this way they may disengage, self-isolate or not function as well at home or at work. Some men also engage in unhealthy behaviours that ultimately make the symptoms or situation worse. Given the increase in the incidence of depression in men during this time and men’s motivation to be the best fathers possible, more and more men are taking care of their mental health. Visit their webpage for some resources that may be helpful depending on your situation.

Post-Partum Support International 

Whether you are a dad trying to support a partner or you think you may be experiencing a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder, we are glad you are here. We want you to know that you are not alone and that by getting the right kind of support, you will get better. One in ten dads gets postpartum depression, and up to 18% develop a clinically significant anxiety disorder such as generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder at some point during the pregnancy or the first year postpartum. You can get more information and links to resources on their website.

NCT – Men’s Postnatal Depression Page

It’s understandable that mom’s are the focus in the postnatal period, but it is important to remember the dads and co-parents who also need support. Whether it’s sleep deprivation, money worries, new responsibilities, or the relationship dynamic shifting, dads also have a lot to take on board. This is a huge life change for both parents. On top of this, dads and co-parents might feel guilty about what their partner is going through, knowing they aren’t the ones breastfeeding at 3am or healing from labour and birth. Visit this webpage for information on postnatal depression in partners.

Forgotten Fathers: Postpartum Depression in Men

Although postpartum depression is common and well-studied in mothers, many fathers also experience symptoms. This qualitative study investigated fathers’ experiences of postpartum depression. Six themes emerged from the data including fathers’ needing education, adhering to gender expectations, repressing feelings, being overwhelmed, resentment of baby, and the experience of neglect. These data provide useful information that can aid health care providers, researchers, clinicians, and families in understanding the experience of paternal postpartum depression and in better coping with the challenges these families face.

Prevalence of Perinatal Depression and Anxiety in Both Parents

New and expectant parents experience perinatal mood disorders, with consequences to parenting ability, bonding with the neonate, interpersonal relationships, and health and well-being of parents. Research shows that maternal and paternal perinatal mood disorders are associated, but no recent systematic review has addressed the prevalence of perinatal mood disorders in both mothers and fathers. The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of perinatal mood disorders in both parents and to identify factors associated with perinatal mood disorders in parents.

Male Postnatal Depression: Why Men Struggle In Silence

Many mothers grapple with mental health challenges after the birth of a child. But fathers experience this, too and may be slipping through the cracks. This article provides information on postnatal depression among men as well as shares some personal stories from men out there, showing that they are not alone. Any men out there experiencing postnatal depression, you are not alone. Check out this article for more information.

“What Kind Of Man Gets Depressed After Having A Baby?” Fathers’ Experiences Of Mental Health During The Perinatal Period

Fathers can experience new emotions, feelings and changes initiated by the transition into parenthood. While there is a relative abundance of research focusing on maternal mental health, data on fathers is still limited by comparison. The reported lack of support and barriers to support seeking, combined with a sense of feeling excluded by healthcare professionals have caused fathers to experience conflict between the expectations and realities of fatherhood during the perinatal period. This research aimed to explore fathers’ perceptions of the support they received for mental health problems during the perinatal period. A more in-depth understanding of fathers’ experiences means barriers to support seeking for mental health problems can be identified, leading potentially to suggestions of possible ways to break down those barriers and offer improved support.