JUNE 2021
DADS AND DEPRESSION
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New mothers are not the only parents who can experience anxiety and/or depression related to pregnancy and childbirth. Studies show that 1 in 10 fathers experience postpartum depression or anxiety, which is twice the rate of global estimates of depression in men.
The peak incidence for postpartum depression in fathers is 3-6 months postpartum. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale has been validated for detecting paternal depression, but with lower cut-off scores than for women (2 points lower).
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CHECK OUT MMHLA'S
NEW FACT SHEET
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CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS FOR PATERNAL DEPRESION
- Change in hormones
- Adjusting to new and demanding roles and tasks
- Stress of having a new baby in the household
- Feeling excluded from mother-infant bonding
- Difficulties in developing attachment with the infant
- Lack of social supports and networks
- Lack of a good role model
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IMPACTS OF
PATERNAL DEPRESION
- Increased hostility and conflict in the home, particularly with spouse / partner
- Decreased sensitivity or warmth in parenting
- Decreased positive parenting, such as reading to children
- Increased negative parenting, including harsh discipline practices
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MATERNAL DEPRESSION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT
RISK FACTOR FOR PATERNAL DEPRESSION.
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Postpartum Support International provides several supports for dads including a specialized dads coordinator, weekly chats for dads, and monthly support groups for fathers.
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Helpful websites for new dads:
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Recently updated, this guide to understanding pregnancy-related depression has an entire chapter focused on dads and partners. |
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As a new father, Mark Williams felt like he was losing himself more and more each day. Daddy Blues tells the tale of a man learning to deal with postpartum depression.
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Although written for men whose partners are experiencing post-partum depression, this book also provides insights for fathers or partners who are experiencing depression or anxiety. |
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Taking in different perspectives,
this book sheds light on the many aspects of postpartum depression in fathers, including a review of recent studies and research in this area.
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EVENTS ABOUT DADS' MENTAL HEALTH |
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INTERNATIONAL FATHERS' MENTAL HEALTH DAY
JUNE 21, 2021
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Most people are socialized to think of men as providers of support during the perinatal period and early parenthood. However, a wealth of research shows that 10% of new dads experience paternal postpartum depression (50% when mom is depressed!) and tend to need support of their own. The stigma against experiencing difficulties in early parenthood is even higher for men than for women. Society views men as stoic, self-sacrificing, and above all, strong. When men feel none of those things as new fathers, they don’t want to admit it or seek help. Learn more HERE.
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LUNCH AND LEARN
POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL
FLORIDA CHAPTER
JUNE 16, 2021 (12 - 1 PM EDT)
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Postpartum Support International (Florida) is hosting Mark Williams, an advocate, author, and survivor of postpartum depression. Mark founded International Fathers Day and the #HowareYoudad campaign to ensure all parents have support. Learn more about Mark HERE. Watch his TedTalk HERE. |
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ONLINE BOOK LAUNCH
NEW FATHERS, MENTAL HEALTH,
AND DIGITAL COMMUNCATION
JUNE 21 (6 - 7:30 AM EDT)
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This launch event will feature a detailed talk about the book by the authors, commentaries from guest speakers, and the opportunity for all attendees to ask questions and network. Publisher's discount will also be available. Authors Paul Hodkinson and Ranjana Das will be joined by experts in masculinities, perinatal mental health and digital communications. Learn more HERE. |
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Examines the digital mediation of emotions around paternal mental health, the emergence of new and networked paternal intimacies, and new forms of connection / disconnection which shape, resource, and potentially empower fathers communicating about mental health. |
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Ranjana Das, PhD
Dr. Das is Reader in Media and Communication at the University of Surrey, UK. She researches uses and consequences of commun-cation and technology, with a recent focus on parent-hood. She explores what the digital turn has meant for new mothers in her latest book: Early Motherhood in Digital Societies.
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Paul Hodkinson, PhD
Dr. Hodkinson is Reader in Sociology at the University of Surrey, UK. His research encompasses fathers and fatherhood, youth cultures, and the role of digital media in contemporary societies. He previously authored Sharing Care: Equal and Primary Carer Fathers and Early Years Parenting.
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WEBINAR
THE FORGOTTEN PARENT:
FATHER'S MENTAL HEALTH DURING PERIPARTUM
JUNE 22 (5:30 - 7 PM EDT)
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In recognition of International Father's Mental Health Day, Marce of North America is pleased to host this 90-minute webinar about new fathers and their mental health. Moderated by MONA President Crystal Clark, MD (at right), the webinar features experts in the field of fathers' mental health. Learn more HERE. |
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Sheehan Fisher, PhD
Dr. Fisher is an Assistant Professor and clinical psychologist at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine. His research focuses on the effects of perinatal and subsequent parental mental health on infant/child health outcomes, with a specialization in the emerging field of father mental health.
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Daniel Singley, PhD
Dr. Singley is a San Diego-based board certified psychologist and Director
of The Center for Men’s Excellence. His research and practice focus on men’s mental health with a particular emphasis on reproductive psychology and the transition to fatherhood.
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David Levine, MD
Dr. Levine is a board-certified pediatrician working for Atlantic Medical Group in NJ, where he has been honored as one of NJ Family Magazines Top Docs for the last 8 years. After suffering from postpartum depression after the births of his two children, he became a speaker and advocate for father's mental health.
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RESEARCH REGARDING
FATHERS' MENTAL HEALTH
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African-American Social Support Effectiveness Treatment
– Partners Alleviating Perinatal Depression (ASSET-PPD)
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The objective of the ASSET-PPD intervention is to enhance fathers’ involvement in the family during the perinatal period to reduce maternal stress. Fathers are often an underutilized source of support and they can assist in improving quality of life for the mother and the family. The study requires minimal involvement of the mother since the fathers are participating in the Intervention, but the intervention is expected to have a significant impact on the mother’s stress and mood. Learn more HERE.
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Understanding Barriers to Men Seeking Help for Depression: Comparing Fathers and Non-Fathers |
The objective of this study is to understand help-seeking behavior among fathers with paternal depression to allow services to better support men to access the help they need. The study will compare help-seeking intentions, barriers to help-seeking, and level of depression between men with depression in the postnatal period, and men with depression at another time of life. The study is recruiting globally. Learn more HERE.
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Frontiers in Psychology:
Perinatal Mental Health and Wellbeing in Fathers
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Frontiers in Psychology is seeking manuscript submissions
to the Research Topic "Perinatal Mental Health and Well-Being in Fathers."
The deadline for proposals is June 30, 2021.
Despite the accumulation of evidence suggesting the importance of considering fathers’ mental health, research is needed to provide better tools for screening and assessment of fathers, as well as to better understand and promote fathers’ mental health and well-being. The major purpose and potential contribution of this Research Topic is to share conceptual, scientific, and practical essays that can inform health care systems and policies about the best practices in the field. This call invites researchers and professionals of different fields, such as psychiatry, psychology, nursing, social work, public health, or medicine to submit their proposals. Learn more HERE.
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SMS4DADS
SUCCESS STORY FROM AUSTRALIA
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SMS4dads is a program in Australia that provides new and soon-to-be-dads with useful messages and tips matched to their baby’s age. SMS4dads sends three texts per week with tips and information about infant development to fathers’ phones from 16 weeks into the pregnancy until the baby is 12 months old.
SMS4dads uses the ‘voice’ of the baby to deliver messages that are synched with the development of the fetus and baby. The messages -- which focus on interacting with a new baby, supporting mothers, and staying healthy -- are brief but have links to further online information.
SMS4dads also launched a pilot project to screen men for depression which debuted on Father's Day 2020.
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Over 90% of fathers report that the messages helped in their transition to becoming a father. Here’s what fathers say about SMS4dads:
- When other people tell me what to do, that doesn’t really work for me, but when the message came from my baby asking me to read to her – well, what could I do?
- The texts were a great conversation starter with my wife, I forwarded quite a few through to her.
- The way the messages would pop up and sometimes the timing was just right to give you a boost or a smile amidst everything – like a mate tapping you on the shoulder.
- Just wanted to say “thanks” for this project. The text messages have been invaluable and I couldn’t have known just how important and how much I needed to receive these short and helpful messages.
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Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call a man cold when he is only sad.
— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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Working with Policy Makers to Address Maternal Mental Health Challenges |
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MMHLA -- founded in 2018 -- is a nonpartisan 501(c)3 non-profit organization
advocating for national policy around maternal mental health in the United States.
Our vision is a nation that priorities mental health by providing universal and equitable education, prevention, screening, and treatment for maternal mental health conditions.
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