Kentish Express Ashford & District
Single dads should ‘seek help’
A charity founder has appealed to single fathers at risk of suffering mental illness from family pressures to seek help and not to go it alone.
Nav Mirza, 45, set up the Dad’s Unlimited charity to support other single fathers who may be battling with depression or anxiety, based on his own experience of being the primary carer for his son in 2015.
The number of single-parent fathers has reached a record high, with an estimated 171,000 being awarded custody of their children by family courts.
But Mr Mirza, pictured, says there simply isn’t a support network and resources in place to support the growing number of fathers who need help to cope with family pressures.
Reports have shown the biggest cause of death for young men between the age of 16 and 50 is suicide. So Mr Mirza set up the charity which offers single fathers, and single mums, mental health counselling, workshops and community events.
He said: “I know at first hand the emotional strain and uncertainty a family breakdown can cause and wanted to form an organisation that could provide the support to others that was so lacking when I needed it most.
“It takes real bravery for a dad to come forward and seek help in such a troubling period as a family breakdown. We have met some courageous single dads, and mums, and offered guidance and care through really difficult circumstances.”
To find out more information about the charity and its activities in Ashford visit dadsunltd.org.uk or search for Dads Unlimited on Facebook