Resources for Fathers
Society views men as stoic, self-sacrificing, and strong. When men feel none of those things as new fathers, it might be hard to admit it or seek help. The stigma in experiencing difficulties as a new parent is sometimes greater for men than women. To support new fathers, we have curated a list of resources to help them navigate the transition to new parenthood.
If you would like to recommend a resource for us to include email us at info@mmhla.org with the subject line: RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION.
Fact Sheet
Paternal Mental Health Fact Sheet
Curated by: Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance
Learn the research behind the causes, risk factors, and impacts of paternal depression with this fact sheet.
Books
Beyond the Blues: A Guide to Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression
Written by: Shoshanna Bennet, PhD and Pec Indman, EdD, MFT
Beyond the Blues contains the current information about risk factors, diagnosis, teatment, and prevention of mood disorders in pregnancy and postpartum. Straightforward yet compassionate, it is required reading for all who work with pregnant and postpartum women, as well as for those suffering before or after the baby is born.
This book is being used by the US Navy, Spectrum Health in Michigan, Durham Regional Health Department of Canada, New York State Department of Health, Broward Healthy Start Coalition of Florida, the International Childbirth Education Association, and many other organizations.
DAD: Untold Stories of Fatherhood, Love, Mental Health & Masculinity
Written by: Elliott Rae
This book includes 20 powerful and defiant stories about postnatal depression, becoming a new dad during the pandemic, miscarriage, widowhood, stillbirth, co-parenting, childbirth trauma, work-life balance, new dads at work, shared parental leave, being a stay-at-home dad, gay fatherhood and surrogacy, being a stepdad, black fatherhood, raising child of dual heritage, being a single dad, faith and fatherhood, raising a child with autism, gender stereotypes and more.
Daddy Blues: Postnatal Depression and Fatherhood
Written by: Mark Williams
This book explores how postpartum depression impacts both mothers and fathers. Unaware that fathers could experience postnatal depression, Mark struggled with a crying baby and a disconnected wife, feeling increasingly lost and turning to alcohol for escape. "Daddy Blues" poignantly explores his journey of coping with an unanticipated and deeply challenging problem.
Fathers and Perinatal Mental Health: A Guide for Recognition, Treatment, and Management
Written by: Jane Hanley and Mark Williams
This book seeks to address the reasons why the father or the potential father could suffer from a mental disorder or illness during the perinatal period, his reactions, and what can be done to help him.
New Fathers, Mental Health and Digital Communication
Written by: Paul Hodkinson and Ranjana Das
This book explores the experiences of new fathers struggling with mental health difficulties and focuses on the role of digital media as part of their approaches to coping. The authors explore various digital communication uses by struggling fathers, from selective forms of disconnection to seeking out online information or support.
Parental Mental Health: Factoring in Fathers
Written by: by Jane Honikman and Daniel Singley
The purpose of this book is to include men in the discussion about early parenthood, to foster a gender-equitable, whole family approach to parental mental health, and to increase awareness about best practices in the care for expectant and new fathers.
Sad Dad: An Exploration of Postnatal Depression in Fathers
Written by: Olivia Spencer
This book sheds light on the many aspects of postnatal depression in fathers, includes a review of recent studies and research in this area, discusses how male postnatal depression can effect family relationships, and examines the social and psychoanalytic factors which help explain why men experience this depression as well as women.
The Life of Dad
Written by: Dr Anna Machin
In The Life of Dad, Dr Machin draws on her research and the latest findings in genetics, neuroscience, and psychology to tell the story of fatherhood. She will show the extraordinary physiological changes a man undergoes when he becomes a father, investigate how a man’s genes can influence what sort of father he will be and will show how a dad makes a unique contribution to his child’s life, helping to foster independence of mind and spirit.
The Postpartum Husband: Practical Solutions for Living with Postpartum Depression
Written by: Karen Kleiman, MSW
This book is a concise resource that provides insights for fathers / partners about perinatal mental health conditions—both what they and their partner are experiencing.
Websites, Support Groups, and Programs
Postpartum Support International: Help for Dads
This organization curates many resources for dads and partners, including:
Dads coordinator
Monthly chats for dads
Closed Facebook group for dads
Dad support group
Basic Training for New Dads
This virtual and in-person learning opportunity helps expectant fathers enjoy an informal, hands-on class that provides practical information and a real boost of confidence about handling their baby's impending arrival. Participants connect with other expectant dads, and also have the opportunity to talk with a “veteran dad” who has been through the class and brings his infant with him to the class.
Basic Training for New Dads (Iowa)
An in-person workshop located in Genesis East in Davenport, Iowa developed and taught by local, experienced dads to support and prepare dads-to-be to meet the challenges of fatherhood.
Boot Camp for New Dads
Boot Camp for New Dads is a father-to-father, community-based website that inspires and equips men of different ages, economic levels, and cultures to engage with their infants, support their partners, and navigate their transformation into dads.
Daddy Boot Camp
Daddy Boot Camp is an online man-to-man workshop to give men becoming fathers the tools and confidence to become great dads. DBC provides a community of dads who “want the new guys to have what we have.”
Dads with Wisdom
Facilitated support groups for fathers. Virtual and in-person options available (in-person is only available in DC, Maryland, and Virginia).
DADvocacy Consulting Group
The DADvocacy Consulting Group (DCG) is dedicated to supporting and promoting the positive engagement of fathers, grandfathers, and father figures in children's lives through research-based strategies, lifelong commitment, and policy development to enhance the well-being of children, families, and communities.
The Dovetail Project
A Chicago-based program on a mission to give young African-American and Hispanic fathers (ages 17 to 24) the skills and support they need to be better fathers for their children and better men in their communities.
Postpartum Men
Postpartum Men is a place for men with concerns about depression, anxiety, or other problems with mood after the birth of a child. This website includes a self-assessment for postpartum depression and an online forum for dads.
Welcome to Fatherhood
Welcome to Fatherhood provides support for the entire spectrum of the fatherhood journey, helping men transition from the “Dude Zone” to the “Dad Zone.” WTF offerings include a book, podcast, blog, video series, classes, coaching, and more.
Podcasts
Advancing Health Podcast: The Role of Fathers in Maternal and Child Health
Men can have a significant influence in supporting women during their pregnancy, and can be essential allies in creating better outcomes for mother and child. Guests Dr. Amina Alio of University of Rochester Medical Center, and Jonathan Webb, CEO of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, explore the role of fathers in maternal and child health, and how addressing fathers’ needs can improve the overall well-being of a family.
Beyond Postpartum: Dads Get Depressed Too, with Evan
In this episode of Beyond Postpartum, Evan, a father who experienced depression after his son's birth, shares his story with vulnerability and openness. The episode concludes with a discussion of common signs and symptoms of perinatal mental health challenges in partners and provides resources for support.
Flusterclux - Best of: Dads, Depression and Anxiety
Moms often take on the role of supporting a family’s health and mental health, but dads have a crucial role too. This episode explores how to encourage men to step into this role, discuss emotions with their children, and overcome reluctance to open up.
Healing From Paternal Postpartum Depression, with Kevin Seldon
This episode highlights the importance of mental well-being for fathers worldwide. It features a devoted father who shares his personal journey through postpartum depression after the birth of his child.
The Postpartum University Podcast: Dads & Postpartum Depression
This episode discusses the topic of dads experiencing peripartum depression, a condition distinct from postpartum depression in mothers. Peripartum depression affects about one in ten new fathers, often presenting as anger, irritability, and withdrawal. The conversation emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing this condition, highlighting its impact on the entire family and the need for open communication and support.
