Paternal perinatal mental health: Barriers to help-seeking

Paternal perinatal mental health: Barriers to help-seeking Deborah Da Costa, PhD, Associate Professor at the Department of Medicine, McGill University, Scientist at McGill University Health Centre, details the benefits and barriers to paternity leave uptake by fathers following the birth of a child. The transition to parenthood can be a vulnerable time for men’s mental health. Yet there remains a lack of awareness regarding paternal perinatal mental health issues during this life stage. Mounting evidence indicates that a significant number of expectant and new fathers experience psychological distress, including depression and/or anxiety, during the perinatal period. (1,2) The prevalence of depression among fathers during the perinatal period is approximately 8% (1) and 10% for anxiety. (2) Untreated mental health conditions in fathers during the perinatal period can worsen paternal mental health status. (3) In addition, paternal perinatal depression can negatively impact maternal mental health (4) and adversely affect the child’s behavioural, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. (5) This underscores the importance of prevention and early intervention to promote the mental health of men during the transition to parenthood. The usefulness of such efforts, however, is contingent upon men’s willingness to access services to address their mental health.