The silent struggle:
Supporting fathers with perinatal depression
A quick Google search for perinatal depression will return numerous results citing research on new mothers, children and support services.
This breadth of information is incredibly important for supporting this vulnerable group.
However, there is another group susceptible to poor mental health during this life stage that isn’t as easily captured by these Google searches.
Approximately 30,000 fathers and partners are affected by paternal perinatal depression every year, making it a significant public health issue.
Associate Professor Alka Kothari from UQ’s Northside Clinical Unit, and postdoctoral research fellow Dr Beth O’Gorman from UQ’s School of Psychology, explain the impacts of perinatal depression on fathers, and why more support is needed.
Why do some fathers experience
perinatal depression?
Some fathers encounter a complex interplay of psychological, social and biological stressors during the perinatal period.
Dr Kothari said many can feel unprepared for childbirth, struggle with identity transitions and may have a lack of clear guidance on their roles or expectations during pregnancy and birth.
“These concerns, when combined with additional pressures such as work-family conflict, insufficient support and feelings of guilt or distress, can negatively impact upon fathers’ mental health,” Dr Kothari said.
“Cultural and systematic exclusion from maternity care often compounds these challenges.
“Fathers from minority backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, gender-diverse and culturally diverse fathers, may experience heightened exclusion and a lack of targeted support due to prevailing cultural norms.”
For some fathers, the experience of childbirth - even when it goes smoothly - can have a lasting emotional impact.
Dr Kothari explains many fathers report feeling powerless, invisible or ignored.
“Complications are common, occurring in a third of pregnancies and childbirth,” Dr Kothari said.
“Traumatic events can lead to a range of mental health challenges for fathers, such as grief, shame, anxiety, depression and a higher risk of post-traumatic stress disorder.
“The lack of support felt by fathers can lead to anger, withdrawal, difficulty bonding with their child, unhealthy coping strategies and in some instances self-harm.
“These mental health challenges not only affect fathers, but can also put strain on family relationships, impact the mother’s wellbeing, and influence a child’s development.
“Recognising and supporting fathers’ psychological needs during and after childbirth is important for the health, stability and future of the whole family.”
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The importance of fathers
Through genetic, epigenic and behavioural influences, fathers significantly shape not only maternal and child wellbeing, but also the health of future generations.
Dr Kothari said a father’s health, lifestyle, and environmental exposures, even before conception, can affect offspring through genetic inheritance, epigenetic changes in sperm, and behavioural pathways within the family.
“These influences have been linked to outcomes such as childhood development, risk of mental health disorders, and even the transmission of stress or trauma effects across multiple generations,” Dr Kothari said.
“The role of fathers extends far beyond conception and birth, carrying important implications for the long-term health of families.
“Despite this, there is still a significant gap in counselling, screening and support for fathers within obstetric services.
“This is why I strongly advocate for integrating men’s health into maternity care, introducing routine paternal mental health screening, and involving fathers directly in the design of obstetric services.
“It’s important these gaps are addressed, and families receive truly holistic and comprehensive care.”
Turning self-criticism into compassion
Dr Beth O’Gorman is part of UQ’s Compassion Mind Research Group undertaking research exploring how compassion can be used as a tool to assist fathers.
“We know that higher self-criticism in fathers is linked to increased risk of depression, anxiety and stress, lower self-compassion and self-esteem and a greater likelihood of emotional suppression rather than seeking support,” Dr O’Gorman said.
“Research has shown a self-compassion intervention is not only beneficial for parents who are highly critical of themselves, but it also has positive implications for parenting styles and child outcomes.
“We have found increasing self-compassion could also increase a father’s closeness with their child and reduce conflict in father-child relationships.”
The Compassionate Mind Research Group will shortly commence evaluating their novel single-session online intervention for dads of children aged 3 to 9, aiming to increase self-compassion and connection with their child.
“This avenue of research is particularly timely, as more men are really motivated to be great dads, but may struggle with self-criticism,” Dr O’Gorman said.
“We are at a positive time in history where many men are more open with their emotions but might still get caught up in unhelpful ways of thinking and behaving that are tied to traditional masculine norms of ‘being tough.’
“At the moment there is a gap in the healthcare when it comes to supporting fathers in a way that works for them, but this can change as there are many wonderful health providers and researchers working towards improving support for fathers.”
What are the signs to look out for?
Feeling extremely tired and overwhelmed is a normal part of the transition to fatherhood, due to disrupted sleep and increased responsibilities of taking care of the newborn and mother.
However, perinatal depression is more than just feeling fatigued, and these manifestations do not improve with rest, support and self-care. Symptoms lasting for more than two weeks require timely and appropriate evaluation by a mental health professional.
The signs include:
- Sadness, withdrawal, reduced pleasure in activities
- Anxiety, irritability, anger, or crying
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Trouble coping with daily life or new responsibilities
- Expressions of guilt, shame, or hopelessness
- Increased substance use, risk-taking, or aggression
Strategies to support a father in need
- Encourage open, non-judgmental conversations about feelings and challenges
- Encourage participation in antenatal classes and peer support groups
- Help fathers access professional mental health support if needed
- Include fathers in healthcare discussions and decision-making
- Normalise help seeking behaviours and reduce stigma by acknowledging that paternal mental health is important for the whole family.
Support services
There are a wide range of resources and support systems specifically designed to help new fathers who may be struggling with mental health or the transition to parenthood.
Read about some of them below.
SMS4Dads: a free service, sending practical tips, information, and wellbeing check-ins via text message to new and expectant fathers, while SMS4DeadlyDads delivers culturally relevant support specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dads.
Dads Group Australia: offers a welcoming, judgment-free space for new and expectant fathers to connect, share experiences, and support each other, with flagship community events like ‘Man with a Pram’ bringing families together to celebrate fatherhood and build local support networks.
The Prepared Dad Foundation: provides a free, online, peer-led program with interactive, expert-led webinars on pregnancy, birth, newborn care, and mental health, as well as access to an ongoing support network, ‘The Prepared Dad Circle’.
Direct Advice for Dads and the Raising Children Network: offer practical advice, resources, and community forums specifically for fathers.
Organisations like The Fathering Project and The Father Hood also provide programs, resources, and peer networks to further support fathers as they navigate the challenges of early parenthood.
For those needing more immediate or specialised support, the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI) has developed DadSpace, a dedicated website offering information, strategies, tips, and resources tailored for dads. DadSpace also features DadBooster, a free, evidence-based online program that provides cognitive-behavioural therapy to help fathers manage symptoms of anxiety and depression.
MensLine Australia offers 24/7 phone and online counselling, and PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia) operates a national helpline.
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