Can dads and partners experience perinatal anxiety and depression?

This article includes information regarding perinatal anxiety and depression in dads and partners.

When we think about a new parent’s mental health, it can be easy sometimes to focus solely on mothers. But dads can suffer too. Around 1 in 20 men experience depression during their partner’s pregnancy (antenatal) and up to 1 in 10 new dads struggle with depression following the birth of their baby (postnatal).

While most mothers take time off work after the arrival of a baby, most fathers have minimal leave, if any, and are then expected to continue working as if their life were the same as before - often without any further support from their employer. The expectations and pressures that come with being a new father can cause feelings of distress, isolation, and stress, and can lead to perinatal anxiety and depression.

If not identified and managed, these mental health issues can lead to higher rates of absenteeism, reduced productivity and lower return to work rates. But when employees feel fully supported at work by their employer, the obvious economic benefits are improved staff morale and productivity.