Hello from us at CMHC! This month is a busy one, and now we are celebrating Fathers’ Mental Health Day, on the 21st of June. It falls right after Fathers’ Day each year – because what better time to raise some awareness for the wellbeing and mental health of Dads and father figures all over the world.
Too often it’s the case that Dads’ mental health is overlooked in the challenging months after welcoming a child into the family. There has been research into same-sex and adoptive parents experiencing depression in the post-partum as well, but these situations often go under the radar. Fathers’ Mental Health Day is setting out to change this worldwide, and provide father figures everywhere with the information, resources and support needed to maintain positive mental wellbeing. Young Dads are most at risk of suffering from depression and anxiety in the first few years of fatherhood – which is contributed to by the difficulties that come alongside a change in routine, a lack of sleep and exercise.
It is so important to be able to recognise the signs of poor mental health, so that support can be sought out early. The charity From Dads to Dads say that men traditionally have a tendency to carry on, even if they’re experiencing poor mental health, hoping the negative feelings will just pass – but seeking out that support, and being able to recognise when help is needed is the best thing you can do for yourself and your new family.
From Dads to Dads have written a guide to the initial signs of poor mental health to watch out for in the early stages of parenthood:
- Erratic sleep patterns can be an indicator of mood change.
- Low motivation to do anything/disinterest in the things you usually like to do.
- Over or under eating/poor appetite.
- Feeling guilty, about not loving baby enough/feeling low/believing you are inadequate in some way.
- Irritability, or feeling very anxious/panic attacks. Maybe feeling angry.
- Poor concentration/being very indecisive.
- Physical symptoms like headache or aches and pains.
- Negative and unhelpful thinking… this is likely to add to the lowering of mood and start a vicious cycle: negative thoughts leading to low mood, then feeling guilty about low mood and so on.
So what can you do?
- Talk! Talk to your partner, your family, your friends, and your health worker.
- Work out a sleep rota so that both parents can get some rest.
- Try and get out into some daylight every day, even if it’s just ten minutes.
- Plan your meals, and ask for help from friends and family if you haven’t got the time to organise food shopping.
- Make the time to see your GP, and discuss your mental health with them.
- Find a parent and baby group in your area, so that you can meet like-minded people going through the same experiences as you.
There are so many amazing charities out there raising awareness for Dads’ mental health, each with their own goals and resources.
Dad Matters
How Are You Dad
Fatherhood and Mental Health
Best Beginnings
In York, there are many groups you and your family can join in with to help you – and you might end up meeting people who can support you on your journey.
Yorkey Dads
York Playgroups
Spilt Milk Club
Baby Groups in York
Baby Sensory Group
Parenthood isn’t easy, but we are more than happy to provide support at CMHC, if you feel like counselling would help you on your parenthood journey, use the self- referral form here.
If you need support more immediately, please remember that the following resources are also available to you:
Samaritans – call 116 123
Shout – text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258
