Children’s Charity NSPCC backs International Mental Health Day in support of the babies and the fathers.
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Dear Editor,
It’s a sad truth that the mental health of new fathers is too often overlooked.
The first year of a baby’s life is such a critical time, but without the right support, mental health issues can make it difficult for fathers to care for and connect with their baby. This can potentially affect a child’s overall development as well as having a lasting impact on the fathers themselves.
As families celebrate Father’s Day across Northern Ireland, I want to highlight how before lockdown up to 1 in 10 dads experienced mental health issues in the period during pregnancy and a year after the birth of their child.
As well as experiencing difficulties with their own mental health and managing the pressures that come with being a new parent, some new fathers need to support the mum with any mental health problems they might face.
Since the COVID-19 crisis and social isolation measures, families have been left without their usual support networks and fathers may struggle to access the support they need, intensifying feelings of stress and anxiety.
As we mark International Father’s Mental Health Day on Monday, June 22, we welcome the recent announcement from the Department of Health that specialist perinatal mental health services will be developed in Northern Ireland – one of our key calls from the Fight for a Fair Start campaign.
Our Fight for a Fair Start campaign continues in Northern Ireland so that every father, as well as every mum, every baby and every family here gets a fair start in life.
Yours sincerely,
Orla O’Hagan,
Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer at NSPCC Northern Ireland.
