Perinatal Mental Health in Men: What It Is, Why It Matters, and What to Do
If you’re a man who’s expecting a baby, recently became a father, or is navigating life in those first months with a newborn, I want you to know this: You matter. Your mental health matters. The changes you’re experiencing, hormonal shifts, identity shifts, pressures in new roles, are real, and they can profoundly affect your well-being. The term “perinatal mental health” often brings mothers to mind, but research shows men can, and do, experience significant mental health challenges during pregnancy and the year after birth. This article explores the evidence, the signs, and what you can do to support yourself and your family.
What Do We Mean by Perinatal Mental Health in Men?
“Perinatal” refers to the time during pregnancy and the first year after birth. In men, perinatal mental health issues commonly include depression, anxiety, stress reactions, and even trauma-responses connected with life changes and their partner’s health. Studies estimate that around 5-10 % of new fathers experience depression and approximately 5-15 % experience anxiety during this time. Frontiers+2Wiley Online Library+2 One large review found men’s depression increased by up to 68 % in the first five years of fatherhood. Health Affairs
Your feelings may include fatigue, irritability, difficulty bonding with your baby, intrusive thoughts, withdrawal from your partner or child, or a sense of being “on edge.” Because men’s symptoms sometimes present differently (less sadness, more irritability or anger), they can be harder to recognise. PubMed Central+1
Why This Happens: Risk Factors and Contributing Elements
There isn’t one single cause. It’s a collection of overlapping stressors, physiological changes, and social expectations. Here are common influences:
Role transition and identity change: Becoming a father shifts your sense of self. You may feel pressure to “provide” or “be strong,” and when things don’t align with expectations, distress can follow. BioMed Central
Sleep disruption and increased responsibilities: Lack of sleep is well-known to affect mood. A newborn often brings interrupted nights, increased household duties, and less time for yourself.
Partner’s perinatal mental health: When a mother experiences depression or anxiety, the father’s risk is higher. Both parents’ mental health matter to the child and family outcomes. ScienceDirect
Social isolation and lack of support: Many men feel their role is to support their partner and baby, not to seek help for themselves. That expectation makes it harder to ask for support. BioMed Central
Hormonally influenced changes: Emerging evidence suggests changes in men’s hormonal or biological responses (e.g., testosterone, cortisol shifts) may play a role. Scottish Government
Why It Matters: for You, Your Partner, and Your Child
Untreated perinatal mental health issues in men don’t just affect one person; they ripple through the family system. Research links paternal depression or anxiety with increased conflict in relationships, weaker bonding with the child, and higher risk for child behavioural or emotional challenges. Frontiers+1 Plus, your ability to show up—not just physically, but emotionally—matters for your partner and baby as they adjust too.
What Support Looks Like: Practical Strategies
Here are steps you can take to support your mental health and quality of life in this transitional period.
1. Recognise and name what you’re experiencing
It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or sad, even if everyone else seems “fine.” Naming your experience gives you a chance to respond rather than ignore it.
2. Talk with someone you trust
It might be your partner, a friend, a father-figure, or a professional. You don’t have to carry the load alone. Sharing doubts or fears often helps reduce their weight.
3. Prioritise self-care basics
Try to get consistent sleep or rest as much as you can.
Move your body daily, even a short walk helps regulate mood.
Eat regularly and include nourishing foods. Basic habits matter more in high-stress times.
Make time for something you enjoy, even briefly.
4. Seek professional help when needed
If you notice persistent low mood, irritability, suicidal thoughts, or a sense that things are slipping, reach out. A therapist with experience in perinatal or men’s mental health can support you in exploring what’s going on and building strategies.
5. Include your partner and the baby in the process
Support is strongest when you are able to engage together, even if each of you needs your own space. Talk openly about each other’s experience, how the baby’s arrival is shifting the family, and what each of you needs.
6. Advocate for yourself in healthcare settings
If you feel your mental health concerns are not being addressed, ask. Many systems focus on mothers, and fathers are often overlooked. You have a right to support. BioMed Central
A Note of Reassurance
You don’t need to have everything figured out. The arrival of a baby is a big change. Struggling with it does not mean you're failing. It means you are human. Choosing to reach out, to adjust, to act gently toward yourself and your family is strength.
References and Resources
Schöch, P. (2024). Towards effective screening for paternal perinatal mental health. [PMC 11231099] PubMed Central
Walsh, T. B. (2024). Perinatal Mental Health: Father Inclusion at the Local, Family and Health Systems Level. Health Affairs. Health Affairs
Darwin, Z., et al. (2020). Assessing the Mental Health of Fathers, Other Co-parents and Partners in the Perinatal Period. Frontiers in Psychiatry. Frontiers
Philpott, L. F. (2023). Paternal perinatal mental health: progress, challenges and directions. Trends in Research & Evaluation. Wiley Online Library
Government of Scotland (2024). Paternal perinatal mental health: evidence review. Scottish Government
MMHLA.org. (2024). Supporting New Fathers: An Overview of Paternal Mental Health—Statistics, Insights and Resources. MMHLA
If you’re feeling unsure or struggling with expectations around fatherhood, you don’t have to go in alone. At Core Psychology in Calgary we provide confidential, welcoming support for men navigating the transition to fatherhood and all it brings. You are seen, your journey matters, and help is available.
📞 403-488-8912 | 📧 admin@corepsychology.com
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