New research from Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA) shows the number of new and expecting dads completing its Mental Health Checklist during their partner’s pregnancy and following the birth of their child has more than doubled in the 12 months to December 2022.
Feelings men experience during this time are both physical and emotional, with 85 percent feeling worried, and seven in 10 admitting to feeling sad or tearful. Symptoms such as isolation (87 per cent) and lacking confidence in becoming a parent (67 percent) are also common during the perinatal period, with two thirds experiencing panic attacks.
These findings have been released during Men’s Health Week, happening now, to raise awareness of the mental health challenges dads experience during their partner’s pregnancy and the first year of their child’s life.
PANDA CEO Julie Borninkhof said it is encouraging to see more men engaging with PANDA’s Mental Health Checklist, but there is more work to be done to support men during their partner’s pregnancy and the early stages of their baby’s life.
‘One in 10 calls to the PANDA Helpline are made by men, who on average engage with the service seven times via email, text message or phone call,’ said Ms Borninkhof.
‘Parenthood is a shared experience between mums and dads, but it’s often overlooked that new dads feel the same uncertainty with changing responsibilities. Equal recognition of mental health experiences among fathers is important for encouraging them to seek support, so they can be more present for their partner and their baby,’ she said.
SMS4dads
To support new dads, PANDA has a range of resources available and works closely with SMS4dads, a free text service that sends text messages with ideas, tips, advice, and information straight to their phones.
‘SMS4dads came about because fathers told us that the health system doesn’t provide services that speak directly to dads,’ said Richard Fletcher PhD, Associate Professor, Fathers and Families Research Program, School of Health Sciences University of Newcastle.
‘SMS4dads sends brief text messages that support men in their role as fathers and increases awareness of their influence on baby’s brain development.
‘It also provides tips on working collaboratively with their partner and checks in on their well being and offers professional support if needed.’
Since the service launched, over 12,000 dads have enrolled in SMS4dads and received text messages and support in the lead up to the birth of their baby and throughout the first 12 months of parenthood.
PANDA offers Australia’s only free Perinatal Mental Health Helpline, community and health professionals learning hub and helpful resources translated into 40 languages.
‘If people aren’t sure what they are feeling is normal, or if they are seeing signs of mental health distress in loved ones, our website offers 24-hour access to our online mental health checklist,’ Ms Borninkhof said.
Some signs you or someone you know might be suffering from perinatal mental health issues
- You are showing signs of exhaustion, even if you have had enough sleep, or you can’t sleep at all.
- There are changes to your appetite such as having little appetite or craving food to feel better, emotionally.
- You are relying on drugs or alcohol to feel better emotionally.
- You are showing physical symptoms of panic, worry or anxiety or even having panic attacks.
- You may seem more angry, irritable, and intolerant. You may even worry a lot more, especially about your baby or your ability as a parent.
- You find yourself working more to avoid things at home.
- You feel changes in emotional areas such as greater sadness, being frightened to be alone, not wanting to be with other people, or feeling more withdrawn from your partner, friends, or family.
- You feel disconnected with your partner and the pregnancy or the baby.
- You have trouble concentrating, often checking things multiple times, finding it hard to focus or even make decisions.
- You are at risk of harming yourself.
Anyone needing support during pregnancy or post childbirth is welcome to call the PANDA Helpline on 1300 726 306 Monday to Saturday, 9am-7.30pm AEST/AEDT, including public holidays.
For more information, or to access PANDA’s Mental Health Checklist, visit panda.org.au.
There is also Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7) or lifeline.org.au.
