Don’t be afraid to reach out for help

BECOMING a father brings untold joy, from examining that scrunched-up face to feeling the warmth of that precious child against your chest.

But what about the crying, the never-ending nappies, the chaotic routine and those sleepless nights when you have to go to work the next day?

It’s little wonder men experience stress, anxiety and postnatal depression as well.

Beyondblue says the mental health of dads is important, not only for themselves, but because it impacts on their partners’ and babies’ wellbeing.

The non-profit organisation has launched Australia’s first campaign to support the mental health of new dads, called Dadvice.org.au, where new dads can watch episodes of Dadvice, complete a quiz to check how they’re coping, and access further support.

Dadvice.org.au is funded by the Movember Foundation and stems from research showing while eighty-nine per cent of men view becoming a dad as a time of great joy and happiness, many feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities.

The research included 1531 new and experienced fathers across Australia in 2015, with 79 per cent of those surveyed feeling the need to be “the rock” and provide a stable, unemotional support base for their family and 47 per cent reporting it caused them anxiety.

Beyondblue chairman Jeff Kennett says becoming a dad can be a risky time for mental health.

“Like new mums, new dads have a lot to deal with,” Kennett says.

“Dadvice is about intervening early. It’s about giving new dads the strategies to manage their stress as a new dad before things escalate to a crisis point.

“Dadvice shows the reality of fatherhood and it’s not always a glossy picture. Dadvice provides practical, real life guidance to men trying to find their feet as a dad.”