MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES ON THE RISE FOR NEW AND EXPECTING DADS

VIEW VIDEO AND STILL ASSETS HERE

During Men’s Health Week (June 13-19) Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA) has partnered with SMS4dads to raise awareness of the impact of mental health distress on Dads and their families during pregnancy and the first year of their child’s life. 

Whilst most calls to PANDA’s national perinatal helpline are from mums, in the last 12 months PANDA has seen a 20% increase in calls from dads equating to over 50 calls a week from dads seeking advice and assistance.

PANDA CEO Julie Borninkhof said there remains a strong perception in the community that the perinatal period is about mums and bubs.

“Men who have engaged with antenatal classes report they have very low expectations about the levels of service they will receive. 

“In reality, many dads who call our helpline report that the challenge of supporting their pregnant partner is exhausting. After the birth of their child, many have trouble adjusting to parenthood, and they are unsure of how to gauge whether the mental and emotional load of parenthood is affecting their own mental health.

“Mental health concerns can affect a dad’s enjoyment of parenthood and impact on their bond with their baby and their ability to function in daily life.”

Ms Borninkhof said there is no doubt that COVID-19 has contributed to the increase in stress felt by dads. 

“Dads have been home more and in many cases the family income has been put under pressure with dads feeling the threat of potential job loss,” she said.

“We know how big an issue mental health is for men in general and when men who are experiencing mental health issues become fathers, the pressure is even greater.”

PANDA have a range of resources available for dads, and work closely with SMS4dads, a free text service that sends dads text messages with ideas, tips, advice, and information straight to their phones. Messages help dad to bond with baby and are tailored to the age and stage of their baby.

“In general men don't often ask for help which is why we offer the text service. They don’t need a referral, no one needs to know they are receiving them, and the information is tailored to the age of the child or stage of their partner’s pregnancy,” said Richard Fletcher PhD, Associate Professor, Fathers and Families Research Program, School of Health Sciences University of Newcastle. 

Since the service launched, over 10,000 dads have enrolled in SMS4dads and received text messages and support in the lead up to the birth of their baby and throughout the first 12 months of parenthood.

Nick Dawson, a Community Champion for PANDA, and a past user of the SMS4dads program, signed up following a recommendation from a breastfeeding consultant. 

“I signed up because I thought it would be helpful to get regular tips on parenting, particularly fatherhood. I was so exhausted that I felt I couldn’t face reading a parenting book,” Nick said.

“I liked the idea of getting short, sharp messages reminding me to connect with my baby and to check in on my mental health. Each one only took about ten seconds to read, and they were really helpful.

“I’d get a text every week saying, ‘How’s Dad Going?’ To begin with I just clicked on ‘Going Fine,’ until I wasn’t. 

“One day I felt the worst, so I responded, ‘The Worst’ and received a text back saying, ‘Would you accept a call back from a health service?’ I clicked yes and the next day I got a call from PANDA.

“Taking that phone call was my first step on a path towards feeling better.”

PANDA offers Australia’s only free Perinatal Mental Health Helpline, community and health professionals learning hub and helpful resources translated into 40 languages.

“If people aren’t sure what they are feeling is normal, or if they are seeing signs of mental health distress in loved ones, our website offers 24-hour access to our online mental health checklist,” Ms Borninkhof said.

Anyone needing support during pregnancy or post childbirth can call the PANDA Helpline on 1300 726 306 Mon to Fri, 9am - 7.30pm AEST/AEDT, including public holidays.

ENDS

For media information or to arrange an interview, contact Thrive PR:

Erika Rutledge; erika.rutledge@thrivepr.com.au; 0412 926 796

About PANDA

For almost 40 years, PANDA has worked to break down the barriers faced by expecting and new parents reaching out for help to support their mental health and wellbeing. It provides information, support and advice to parents affected by perinatal mental health and has Australia’s only free, national helpline service for women, men and their families affected by perinatal mental health. PANDA believes increasing understanding of perinatal mental health and reducing stigma will help people seek help sooner and reduce the impact and severity of perinatal mental health on individuals, their families, and future generations.

About SMS4dads

SMS4dads helps fathers understand and connect with their baby and partner through free text messages that provide information, tips, and encouragement. Dads can join up from 12 weeks into a pregnancy and throughout the first year of parenthood. 

https://www.sms4dads.com.au/

Some signs you or someone you know, might be suffering from perinatal mental health issues:

• You are showing signs of exhaustion, even if you have had enough sleep, or you can't sleep at all;
• There are changes to your appetite such as having little appetite or craving food to feel better, emotionally;
• You are relying on drugs or alcohol to feel better emotionally;
• You are showing physical symptoms of panic, worry or anxiety or even having panic attacks;
• You may seem more angry, irritable, and intolerant. You may even worry a lot more, especially about your baby or your ability as a parent;
• You find yourself working more to avoid things at home;
• You feel changes in emotional areas such as greater sadness, being frightened to be alone, not wanting to be with other people, or feeling more withdrawn from your partner, friends, or family;
• You feel disconnected with your partner and the pregnancy or the baby;
• You have trouble concentrating, often checking things multiple times, finding it hard to focus or even make decisions;
• You are at risk of harming yourself.

Visit panda.org.au or call the PANDA Helpline on 1300 726 306 Mon to Fri, 9am - 7.30pm AEST/AEDT. Or log onto www.sms4dads.com.au and register for the text service.