Dads to be given depression help after baby birth

POSTNATAL depression has been at the forefront of health care for new mums for years.

But dads have mostly been ignored or told to “man up” when it comes to feeling anxious or depressed.

Now, in a landmark move, the NHS has recognised that thousands of men do need help.

The health service has vowed that the male partners of new mums or mums-to-be will be given easy access to mental health checks, and if needed - professional support.

There is growing evidence of the mental health risk that new and expectant fathers face.

In the first six months after the birth of a baby, estimates put the prevalence rates of anxiety and depression symptoms in men at up to one in 10.

Parents charity, the National Childbirth Trust (NCT), says the risk of depression doubles for men in the first year of fatherhood.

About one in five women will experience a mental health problem during pregnancy or during the first year after birth.

Health chiefs said the services available will include, peer-support, couples therapy sessions and other family and parenting interventions in specialist community perinatal mental health settings.

Men could be also be referred to a psychological talking therapy programme.

Claire Murdoch, NHS England’s national mental health director said: “Any form of mental ill health during pregnancy, labour or early parenthood is a huge concern and it doesn’t just disrupt life for mums but also for dads, partners and the wider family.

“The NHS has made huge strides forward in improving mental health care for new mums so ensuring their partners are properly supported too is the next logical step.”

Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, said: “At what should be one of the happiest moments of our lives, caring for a partner suffering mental ill health when a new baby arrives, is a difficult, and often lonely, experience.

“These days dads and partners are rightly expected to be more hands on and NHS mental health services also need to step up and support families at times of extreme stress and anxiety.

“Alongside the backup and friendship of other new parents in NCT and other groups, the NHS has a role to play in helping support the whole family.”

Abigail Wood, Head of Campaigns at the NCT, said: “Perinatal mental health services need expansion across the board so this announcement is welcome.

“NCT research found that more than one in three new fathers (38%) were concerned about their mental health so offering some of these dads more support will be appreciated.”

The Fatherhood Institute, a charity that aims to promote fathers and influence government policy, was involved in giving evidence to the Health and Social Care Committee’s ‘First 1000 Days of Life’ Inquiry.

Responding on Twitter to the NHS announcement, it said: “Very happy to have played our part in achieving this much-needed shift in NHS practice.”