Emotional and mental health support for new and expecting dads

Becoming a dad can be tough. Maybe your partner is pregnant, and you’re thinking about what lies ahead. Or maybe you’ve just welcomed a new baby into the world. Either way, it can affect how you feel. You’ve now got a little human to look after, and a partner you need to support. You’ve also got all the other things about being a dad to think about. You’re juggling being a dad – or expecting a baby – with all the other things going on in your life.

It’s important to remember that a lot of guys struggle. Did you know that around one in ten dads experience a mental illness in their journey to becoming a dad? So it’s actually really common to have difficult feelings about everything related to becoming a dad.

You might be worried about your partner. Maybe she’s feeling a bit low or anxious herself? If your partner is struggling it just adds another stress level.

What can you do?

First thing to know is you don’t need to suck it up.

Admitting that things are tough and that you need help isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s actually a sign that you are doing the right thing for yourself and your family. It’s a sign of STRENGTH.

Reaching out for help or more information is not a failure. It’s a WIN.

You can’t support your family if you can’t support yourself. Trust your gut. It might be time to check in on your mental health.

Our Mental Health Checklist can give you an idea whether you need to speak to someone about what’s going on with your emotions. It’s completely anonymous, but if you want someone from PANDA to call you back for a chat you can ask for that once you’re done.