Mental health care win for new dads

FOR the first time, new and expecting dads will have their mental health supported through new parenthood as much as mums.

Health Minister Greg Hunt will today announce $26 million to better protect the mental health of expecting and new parents as he hosts a national roundtable on stillbirth prevention in Canberra.

The new funding for perinatal depression will be available as grants to mental health and parent support organisations such as SANDS, PANDA and beyondblue to develop and deliver programs to bolster the mental health of parents. Dedicated grants rounds will be available for peri-natal mental health support, peri-natal loss and bereavement peer support and peri-natal mental health promotion and training.

There will be a particular focus on programs supporting both fathers and mothers, with the applications for the grants to open in the second half of this year and administered by the Department of Health. Each year, an estimated 100,000 people are affected by peri-natal depression and anxiety, during pregnancy and after birth.

One in 10 expectant and new fathers experience depression, anxiety or other forms of emotional distress in the perinatal period. One in 10 women experience depression while pregnant, and one in seven in the year following birth.

Ahead of the national roundtable on stillbirth in Canberra today, Mr Hunt said the funding would be of particular importance to those parents who experienced a stillbirth.

“Early parenthood and the impending birth of a child can be both joyous and a difficult time for both men and women,” Mr Hunt said. “Sadly, stillbirth is one of the greatest tragedies that can happen to any family. It’s important that appropriate mental health support is available for people who need help in coping.”

Former Australian of The Year and mental health expert Patrick McGorry said it was heartening to see a focus on dads.