‘Is mental health provision lacking for men during the postpartum period?’

A lot more focus has been placed on maternal mental health and rightfully so, but where is the focus on paternal mental health?

“Mental health practitioners need to have more awareness of the impact parenthood and the pre and postnatal period can have on fathers”

In the UK alone, the National Childbirth Trust (2021) found that one in three fathers are concerned about their mental health but yet postpartum depression in males is still not recognised to the same degree as it is in females.

Many hold this preconceived idea that postnatal depression is only down to hormonal changes that are present after a woman gives birth.

Yes, it plays a big part in causing postnatal depression but a person’s mental health history and even lifestyle can play a big role too.

Further to that, a study by Dr Andrew Mayers, a psychologist specialising in perinatal mental health at Bournemouth University, reports that there is some evidence that men’s testosterone levels reduce somewhat when they become fathers, therefore, having an impact hormonally on a father’s mental health during the postnatal period.

With that being all said, why is the focus of perinatal mental health services primarily on mothers, with little to no mental health support available for fathers?

In 2024, the Scottish Government conducted a review into paternal perinatal mental health due to the lack of focus on research, policy and service provisions into father’s mental health.

Its report highlighted that healthcare professionals within perinatal services had a tendency to overlook the needs of fathers, along with also acknowledging that these professionals have a lack of training and confidence when it comes to working with fathers.

Could it be that fathers are still seen to have to put on a ‘brave face’ especially when it comes to supporting their partners after they have given birth?

Are services failing to recognise the impact parenthood can have a father? Especially if they have witnessed their partner experiencing a traumatic birth or complications or there being serious health problems with the child(ren).

But what can services do to implement a fuller family involvement approach when it comes to supporting families’ mental health during the postpartum period?

Perhaps it could start with the health visiting team implementing screening and assessments for both mother and father’s postpartum mental health or perinatal mental health services could offer similar support that is open to mothers?

Hambridge et al (2021) suggest that fathers receiving support from a variety of healthcare professionals during these crucial periods pre and post birth can significantly reduce a fathers’ risk of psychological harm.

However, during childbirth, fathers have reported being ignored by healthcare professionals and left “feeling invisible, uninvited and uncomfortable”.

Fathers who had lost their baby felt there were simply seen as “there to support the mother” rather than being treated as someone with their own feelings and grief. Fathers reported a lack of understanding and support following on from this significant loss.

Overall, these findings highlight the impact of parenthood on fathers and how much it can be overlooked by healthcare providers.

The importance of routine screening and early intervention has been strongly argued by Schuppan et al (2019) as being beneficial in normalising depression in both parents and may facilitate better engagement in healthcare services.

Initiatives set out by healthcare services to promote paternal wellness and raise public awareness, may reduce barriers, and the stigma associated with father’s seeking mental health support.

In conclusion, mental health practitioners need to have more awareness of the impact parenthood and the pre and postnatal period can have on fathers.

It has been demonstrated in the past how difficult it is for men to come forward in relation to mental health difficulties, why should health services contribute to this and put up barriers to wellbeing?

Donna Crighton is a mental health nurse, NHS Grampian

References

Hambridge S et al (2021) “What kind of man gets depressed after having a baby?” Fathers’ experiences of mental health during the perinatal period. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 21, 463.

National Childbirth Trust (2021) Parents in Mind Project Targets New Dad’s Mental Health, nct.org.uk, 16 June (accessed 1 February 2025).

Schuppan K et al (2019) Paternal perinatal mental health: at-risk fathers’ perceptions of help-seeking and screening. The Journal of Men’s Studies; 27: 3, 307-328.

Scottish Government (2024) Paternal Perinatal Mental Health: Evidence Review. Scottish Government.