Mental Health of Fathers in the Perinatal and Postpartum Periods

Author(s):

Key Takeaways

Men experience significant psychological impacts during their partner's pregnancy and postpartum period, often leading to depression.
Societal pressures and reluctance to seek help hinder men's ability to address their mental health needs effectively.
Open discussions and targeted interventions are crucial for supporting men's mental health during the transition to fatherhood.

Fathers have to make psychological adjustments during their partner's pregnancy and during the first year with the baby. What does a meta-analysis tell us of their mental state?

Susan J. Noonan, MD, MPH, explores a meta-analysis on father mental health. How are men impacted psychologically by their partner's pregnancy and the presence of a new baby? With men's reluctance to seek help and societal pressure to keep quiet about their emotional state, how can we best help men experiencing postpartum depression?

Dr Noonan is a physician, mental health and wellness coach; author of 5 books on managing mental health and mood disorders with a print and video blog; consultant; group facilitator; and certified peer specialist. Dr Noonan is the inaugural recipient of the National Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Peer Support Specialist of the Year 2022. Her most recent book, published by Johns Hopkins University Press, is Reconnecting After Isolation: Coping With Anxiety, Depression, Grief, PTSD, and More.