Men get postnatal depression too

Editor's note

England’s National Health Service (NHS) this week announced it will offer mental health screening and treatment for new and expectant fathers whose partners are suffering from mental illness.

In Australia, screening mothers for mental illness before and after birth is standard, but fathers are not routinely assessed at any point. This is despite increasing evidence men experience postnatal mental health and adjustment issues. Having a depressed or irritable father also leads to many problems for the child, including being associated with developmental issues in later life. And most women say their partner is their main support, so helping fathers will help the mother too.

Richard Fletcher, Jacqui Macdonald and Louise Newman write Australia should make screening of new and expectant fathers part of its mental health strategy.

Sasha Petrova

Deputy Editor, Health + Medicine

Men also experience postnatal mental health and adjustment issues. from shutterstock.com

Men get postnatal depression too, and as the mother’s main support, they need help

Richard Fletcher, University of Newcastle; Jacqui Macdonald, Deakin University; Louise Newman, University of Melbourne

Having a stressed and depressed father can have serious implications for infants and relationships. And supporting a father who may be experiencing mental ill health means supporting the mother too.

Postnatal depression affects between 8-11% of new fathers. Halfpoint/Shutterstock

I had postnatal depression as a new father and know why mental health checks for dads should be expanded

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Children whose father experiences mental illness are more likely to experience emotional or behavioural problems. www.shutterstock.com

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