For women and men alike, becoming a parent is understandably considered one of the most joyful experiences in life. Yet this widespread expectation brings with it a degree of cultural pressure, especially for parents who struggle with problems such as anxiety and low mood before or after their children are born.
Indeed, a significant minority of mothers – about 20 per cent – experience depression in the months before and after their child is born (known as perinatal depression, in contrast to postnatal depression which is exclusively after the birth).
Thankfully, awareness of these maternal mental health challenges has increased in recent years. This is a good thing because left untreated a mother’s mental health problems aren’t only detrimental to her, but to her infant too.
However, less known and recognised, is that fathers too are at increased risk of depression and anxiety around the time their children are born, which can similarly have adverse consequences for their children and their partners.
Previous research had suggested that around 10 per…
