Support for Partners & Families
It's okay to need help, too.
Pregnancy and postpartum mental health issues impact the entire family.
Dads, non-birthing mothers, partners, and other helpers need support, information, and connection, too. Parents and partners can also feel depressed or anxious after the birth or adoption of a child. In fact, research shows 1 in 10 partners will experience situational depression or anxiety.
While partners may not experience the full range of hormonal changes or other factors that affect the birthing person, they do experience a change in their role. The pressure to be a good parent, the desire to succeed as a father, along with lack of sleep, frustration over trying to soothe a fussy baby and fears of making a mistake all take a toll.
Sometimes it is more difficult to diagnose depression in male parents because its signs are more complicated for men. Common perception is that depression includes sadness and crying. But depression in male partners can include sleep deprivation, irritability, anger, working constantly, drinking and gambling, or being absent from the home for longer periods of time than normal or expected.*
*Visit our Support Directory to find providers who support partners going through their own situational depression or anxiety.
Resources for fathers, non-birthing partners, and family
help for dads
Whether you are a dad trying to support a partner or you think you may be experiencing a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder, we are glad you are here. We want you to know that you are not alone and that by getting the right kind of support, you will get better.
Visit Postpartum Support International for more information and support.
The Postpartum Husband
The Postpartum Husband is a short, concise, easy-to-read book that can help a dad – or other family member – understand what perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are and how to help.
Boot Camp for New Dads
Boot Camp for New Dads is a unique father-to-father, community-based workshop that inspires and equips men of different economic levels, ages, and cultures to become confidently engaged with their infants, support their mates, and personally navigate their transformation into fathers.
Dad 2 dads initiative
The Dad 2 Dads Initiative offers safe spaces for Fathers and Father figures to develop their critical role within the family unit by providing community-based support to navigate systems and resources, and to address overall wellness that impacts family functioning.
