FATHERS.

MENTAL

.HEALTH

 

Welcome to the Fathers' Mental Health website.

Your mental health matters, always; and we want you and your family to be as healthy as possible. Research shows that the transition into parenthood is a vulnerable time for both women and men. New parents may encounter one or more stressors, which can put a strain on your mental health and your relationship. At the same time, it may be nearly impossible to feel like you have the energy or time to look after yourself and make use of your coping strategies and healthy activities in order to feel better. As a result, new parents may experience unresolved stress, psychological disturbances or symptoms of a mental health condition such as depression or anxiety. When men feel this way they may disengage, self-isolate or not function as well at home or at work. Some men also engage in unhealthy behaviours that ultimately make the symptoms or situation worse. Given the increase in the incidence of depression in men during this time and men’s motivation to be the best fathers possible, more and more men are taking care of their mental health.

Here are some resources that we believe you may find helpful depending on your situation:

www.dadcentral.ca (Free resources and workshops to help you raise successful and competent children) www.fatherly.com (Leading digital media brand for dads; empowering dads to raise great kids) www.babycentre.ca (World’s number one digital parenting resource) www.dadsingear.ok.ubc.ca (A program for men who want to be involved, healthy and smoke free dads) www.toronto.ca/community-people/children-parenting/pregnancy-and-parenting/parenting/ (Local (Toronto) healthy parenting resources) Self-assessment Tool: https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/screening/online/ (Choose one more screening tools) Self-Help Resources: www.mysleepwell.ca (includes access to free therapeutic interventions for insomnia) www.triplep-parenting.ca/ont-en/triple-p/ (includes free sessions and online programs for positive parenting toddlers to teens) www.anxietycanada.com (Free anxiety management program) Psychotherapy Resources: www.bouncebackontario.ca/ (free telephone guided CBT for depression and anxiety) www.tsmedicalcentre.com/ (individual, couples) https://conversationsintruth.ca/ (individual counseling) www.wellparentscentre.com/ (individual, couples)  

We also encourage you to talk to your doctor or health care provider about how you are feeling and consider support or treatment when recommended or necessary. Based out of two Toronto hospitals, our Fathers’ Mental Health Program provides in-person and virtual psychiatric assessment, recommendations and treatment to men in Ontario. We specialize in providing care to men who are expectant fathers, new fathers, or fathers of young children. We also assess men who have experienced a pregnancy/infant loss. For more information about our program please see below. To access this program at Mount Sinai Hospital or St. Joseph’s Health Centre – Toronto, please  select your location and have your doctor complete and fax a referral from. For more information on fathers’ mental health matters please follow us on twitter or Instagram @DrSadDad or email us at info@fathersmentalhealth.com

RESEARCH/EVIDENCE

You may find yourself encountering one or more of the following stressors:

• Stressful pregnancy
• Stressful delivery
• Health concerns of partner or newborn
• Fears and worries about looking after a newborn
• Infant who is difficult to console
• Crying baby
• Loss or disrupted sleep
• Balancing responsibilities at work and at home
• Conflict with partner
• Conflict with extended family or in-laws
• Establishing boundaries with others
• Lack of time for self
• Decreased social contact with friends
• Lack of time with partner
• Loss of intimacy and connection with your partner
• Sense of loss of self
• Stress related to living situation
• Financial stress
• Work stress
• Mental health of partner

Did you know that up to 10% of men experience depression in the perinatal period (during and after pregnancy)? Risk Factors for Perinatal Depression in Men include:

• Personal history of depression
• Partner has perinatal depression
• Ongoing work stress
• Previous pregnancy loss
• Marital difficulties

Symptoms of depression include:

• • Loss of control of emotions
  • More often than not, feeling emotions such as: irritable, angry, sad, depressed
  • Loss of pleasure
  • Negative self-talk
  • Excessive guilt
  • Thoughts of escape or death
  • Loss of energy
  • Changes in appetite/weight
  • Poor concentration
  • Disrupted sleep

Some men experience new symptoms of anxiety disorders such as generalized worries, panic attacks or even new obsessional and intrusive thoughts. Some men have reported sudden fears, intrusive thoughts or worries of harming the baby, which they find very troubling and often resolve once given the chance to talk about it. Some men who have a history of a mental health or substance use disorder may experience an episode of relapse during this time. Our relationship with our partner can also be put the test during the transition to parenthood. When couples shift to becoming families with children it can leave partners feeling disconnected from one another and forced to confront challenges such as negotiating roles and responsibilities. Important matters such as values, extended family relationships, money, work, religion, parenting styles, etc. all of a sudden become front and centre. It can be difficult to talk about these things while physically and mentally exhausted caring for a newborn. Things often improve with time and we encourage you to attend to your relationship health as well. Be kind to one another. Be appreciative of one another. You are both working tremendously hard. Recommended Healthy Activities / Coping Strategies We’ve been known to prescribe the following activities:

• • Embrace fatherhood and participate in all aspects of parenthood
  • Spend 1-on-1 time with your baby
  • Read to your baby
  • Find someone you can share your emotions with
  • Stay connected with friends
  • Refuel with a healthy diet and activity level
  • Continue at least one of your healthy outlets to reduce stress
  • Physical activity – walk, jog, cycle, exercise
  • Mindfulness/Meditation
  • Home hobby: repair/renew something; cook; complete small project