This is International Fathers' Mental Health Day and some health advocates are hoping to raise awareness about men struggling with a perinatal mental health disorder, which includes post-partum depression, anxiety, rage, OCD, disengagement, and more.
Reginald Day is a community health worker and certified lactation counselor.
“Right now, stats are showing that one in 10 men will face some type of perinatal mental health disorder,” Day said. “And some of those numbers may be under reported because how many men actually talk about what’s going on.”
According to Chris Rose, a dads group facilitator with the nonprofit Postpartum Support International, the numbers are even higher in cases where the partner is also suffering.
“Fifty percent of dads whose partner is also going through postpartum depression can develop the symptoms as well.’
Rose encourages fathers to reach out for help if they’re struggling.
“By ignoring the symptoms, you’re not making them go away, you’re just storing them. As I’ve learned through therapy, they don’t go away, they sit there, and they will gnaw at you at some point.”
That’s a sentiment Day agrees with.
“When you think that you’re toughing it out and you’re doing the manly thing or you’re doing the right thing because you’re showing that you can handle it and it comes out in the future, think about how that affects those around you.”
Fathers suffering from a disorder can visit the website post-partum.net for a list of services and local resources available. You can also contact their helpline at 1-800-944-4773.
