New dads benefitting from extra help to boost mental health and take pressure off mums, health chiefs claim
NEW dads are benefiting from extra NHS help to boost their mental health and take pressure off mums, health chiefs say.
More support including counselling, group walks and games nights is being offered to men.
Half of new fathers whose partners have depression also suffer from it, research shows.
In a blog, England’s chief midwife, Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, and clinical director Dr Giles Berrisford said: “Through these activities, new dads can gain confidence as parents and talk about their mental health.
“This makes a real difference to how they can then support mothers.”
Post-natal depression is common in both mums and dads and can be caused by stress, tiredness or life changes.