New dads need help too

Monday 16 October 2006

New and expectant fathers are just as likely as their partners to suffer from depression according to Richard Fletcher from the University of Newcastle.

In an article published in today's Medical Journal of Australia, Richard Fletcher and colleagues said health services had only recently become aware of the importance of meeting the needs of expectant and new fathers with specific interventions.

"It is not only important for a father to provide support for his partner, but also to care for his own mental health to ensure he has the emotional resources needed to form a secure relationship with his child," said Mr Fletcher.

Mr Fletcher listed several tactics that could be used by public health services including father-specific childbirth classes run by male health workers in which men can discuss their parenting role and better understand the emotional changes facing both themselves and their partners.