Fatherhood and Mental Health: Breaking the Silence

We often talk about a mother’s emotional well-being after the birth of a baby and rightly so. But what about fathers?

The truth is, many dads struggle in silence. One in ten men will experience anxiety, depression, fatigue or a sense of being  overwhelmed in the months after their baby is born.

And yet, paternal mental health remains largely invisible not only to society, but also within the healthcare system.

From a young age, boys are taught to be “tough.” The old “big boys don’t cry” mentality still lingers, shaping how men relate to their own emotions. So when fatherhood brings a tidal wave of change, from sleep deprivation, pressure to provide and the sudden emotional responsibility of a newborn, many men find themselves overwhelmed, but unsure how to seek help.

And even if they do, they often feel dismissed or overlooked. I've heard many new dads say they felt invisible during the perinatal period, not needed, not asked how they were coping, not seen.

It’s a double burden: society expects men to be strong and as a result, even those in healthcare may unintentionally fail to check in on a father’s emotional wellbeing. But vulnerability isn’t weakness,  it’s human. And part of being mentally healthy is knowing when to check in with yourself, when to reach out and how to accept support.

Paternal postnatal depression doesn’t just steal joy from fathers. It can strain relationships, affect bonding with the baby and ultimately influence a child’s development and the family’s long-term wellbeing.

The transition into parenthood is profound for mothers and fathers alike. It's time we normalised the emotional journeys of dads and made space for their stories, too.

Because fatherhood matters. And so does a father’s mental health.