Authors: Dr. Tina Montreuil, Dr. Larissa Rossen, Maria Salaria, Brenna Whalley, Fatima Mazhar, Eliana Zhao, Sukhman Gosal, and Mona Lee on behalf of the Perinatal Mental Health Working Group | Editors: Romina Garcia de leon, Janielle Richards (Blog Coordinators) | Expert Reviewer: Olajumoke Ojeleye, PhD, RN
Published: July 25, 2025
Dad Matters Too
With Father’s Day behind us, it’s time to reflect on the often-overlooked realities of paternal mental health. While maternal mental health has long been prioritized in perinatal care, fathers remain significantly underrepresented despite clear evidence of their influence on family well-being. Like mothers, fathers can experience stress, anxiety, depression, and feelings of exclusion during the transition to parenthood. Yet antenatal care often fails to meaningfully engage them, leaving many under-informed and unsupported.
Up to 10% of fathers experience postpartum depression, with rates higher when maternal mental health is also affected. This is concerning given the benefits of paternal involvement, which include improved birth outcomes, reduced maternal stress, and enhanced child socio-emotional development. Active fathering is linked to better emotional, cognitive, and social outcomes in children.
To truly honour fathers, we must go beyond symbolic gestures and integrate paternal mental health screening, education, and support into routine perinatal care. Doing so is not only timely—it is essential for building a more equitable and effective model of family health.
Challenges from the Start
Fatherhood presents challenges early on, often shaped by the belief that pregnancy and parenting are a mother’s domain. Appointment reminders are addressed to mothers, prenatal spaces rarely invite fathers in, and discussions often exclude them. This quiet sidelining can make fathers hesitant to engage, leaving them underprepared and unsure of their role.
Yet when fathers are included in prenatal visits, decision-making, and targeted education, they become more confident and responsive parents. Early involvement builds parenting skills, improves communication, and lays the foundation for effective co-parenting. These early weeks are critical, not just for newborn care, but for shaping long-term parenting roles.
Workplace policies that offer unequal parental leave reinforce outdated gender norms and contribute to guilt, missed bonding opportunities, and long-term co-parenting imbalances. When fathers are excluded from basic caregiving, like choosing a pediatrician or mixing formula, they face steep learning curves that widen postpartum, especially when mothers are recovering from childbirth and experiencing symptoms they might not fully understand. Low expectations don’t just limit fathers; they limit the whole family.
Normalizing Paternal Mental Health
Normalizing paternal mental health should start early. Engaging fathers during pregnancy reinforces the idea that their emotional changes are natural and expected. Open conversations, especially those led by visible role models, help reduce stigma and validate the emotional shifts that accompany new fatherhood. Screening fathers routinely, offering inclusive support, and creating opportunities for peer connection can help fathers feel seen, understood, and more willing to seek help.
Community-based programs and culturally safe spaces are essential for encouraging men to prioritize mental health without shame. When we make mental health conversations standard, we build stronger, healthier families from the beginning.
Building Wellness and Connection
Becoming a father requires emotional, mental, and physical adjustments. The prenatal period offers an important window for building healthy habits and positive mindsets alongside a partner. Access to reliable resources—like literature, support groups, and mental health professionals—helps fathers stay emotionally grounded and models resilience for their children.
Aligning on parenting expectations before birth supports confident, collaborative co-parenting. After birth, skin-to-skin contact helps regulate hormones and strengthen bonds, while responsive parenting promotes attachment and brain development. Fathers don’t need to be perfect—just present and consistent.
Challenging outdated gender norms allows fathers to define caregiving in ways that feel authentic. Emotional presence and hands-on involvement benefit not only children, but also a father’s sense of identity and well-being.
Beyond Traditional Roles: Paternal Inclusion Matters
As paternal mental health gains visibility, it is essential not to overlook the continued lack of attention to fathers in perinatal research and care. Despite growing awareness, many studies and health systems continue to focus almost exclusively on mothers, leaving fathers’ experiences, challenges, and mental health needs underrecognized and underaddressed.
This gap not only undermines paternal mental health but also represents a missed opportunity to support family functioning as a whole. The absence of father-inclusive practices, such as gender-neutral language, dedicated resources, and provider training, can contribute to feelings of exclusion and distress, especially for new or young fathers.
Inclusive, respectful care is not just a matter of equity; it is essential for healthier pregnancies, stronger co-parenting relationships, and better long-term outcomes for children. It’s time to bring fathers fully into the conversation.
Paternal Mental Health Every Day
Father’s Day may have passed, but the need to support paternal mental health continues. Like mothers, fathers face emotional challenges during pregnancy and beyond. These are even more pronounced for transgender and non-binary parents, who face unique barriers to care.
Engaging all fathers early in prenatal care strengthens their mental health and promotes more confident and connected parenting. As the evidence grows around the importance of paternal well-being, we must create perinatal systems that include and support all parents. Doing so is not only equitable; it is essential to building healthier, more resilient families across generations.
Paternal mental health isn’t a holiday issue—it’s a health issue. Let’s make sure care reflects that.
