This Father’s Day, Let’s Stand with New Dads—Because PPD Isn’t Just for Moms
- Dr B., PhD
- Jun 15
- 2 min read
Every June, we celebrate the dads in our lives. This year, let’s also raise awareness for a silent struggle affecting many: paternal postpartum depression (PPD). Yes, dads can experience it too—and many do.
The Facts Behind Paternal PPD
Roughly 8–13% of new fathers experience depression during pregnancy or after childbirth (bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com).
U.S. studies report higher rates—up to 14.1%—with a peak prevalence of 25–26% between 3–6 months postpartum (en.wikipedia.org).
If the mother also has PPD, the father’s risk jumps to about 50% (bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com).
These are not rare exceptions—they're real dads in our communities.
Risk Factors & Symptoms
Risk Factors:
Maternal depression
Low income, unemployment, financial stress (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
History of mental health issues or high stress during pregnancy (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Infant medical challenges (colic, prematurity) (utswmed.org)
Common Symptoms in Men:
Irritability, anger, risky behavior, substance use (en.wikipedia.org)
Fatigue, insomnia, appetite changes, indecision (en.wikipedia.org)
Emotional withdrawal and anhedonia (loss of pleasure) (lemonde.fr)
Men often mask their feelings, risking underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis (indiatimes.com).
Why Dad’s Mental Health Matters
Dads encountering PPD are more likely to:
Attend fewer pediatric checkups
Undermine early childhood development
Suffer strained partner relationships (utswmed.org, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
With prompts from pediatricians and parental screening programs, we’re catching this earlier—studies suggest screening could help over 30% of fathers get timely support (today.uic.edu).
How to Support Dads This Father’s Day
1. Start the conversation
Normalize the fact that new dads can struggle emotionally. Ask, “How are you doing?” and really listen.
2. Watch for the signs
Be alert to irritability, withdrawal, and risky behaviors.
3. Encourage professional help & therapy
Counseling, mindfulness, support groups, and possibly medication (SSRIs) can help significantly (axios.com, en.wikipedia.org).
4. Build healthy habits
Prioritize sleep, exercise, a nutritious diet, and shared parenting responsibilities.
5. Create a strong support system
Connect with other dads, join local/new online parenting communities, and seek peer support.
6. Include dads in screenings
Ask your OB-GYN or pediatrician to include new fathers in emotional health check-ins.
A Call to the Community
On Father’s Day, let’s remind dads: it’s not just moms who can struggle—you’re allowed to feel overwhelmed too. Seeking help isn’t a weakness—it’s a display of strength, courage, and care.
To our clients, community, team members, and team-dads:
If you're a new or expectant father and experiencing overwhelming feelings—reach out. You deserve support, mental wellness, and connection.
If you're close to a new dad—check in, listen, and encourage him to access mental-health resources.
Let’s build a world where fatherhood’s highs and lows are acknowledged—and addressed—with compassion and openness.
Learn More & Get Help
University of Illinois Chicago pilot: ~30% of fathers showed depression signs within 15 months postpartum (axios.com)
BMC pilot: 30% screened positive for PPD among fathers in primary care (bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com)
Meta-analyses confirm male PPD affects 8–14% of fathers globally (en.wikipedia.org)
Let’s make this Father’s Day a turning point. Dad—your mental and emotional health matters. And together, we’ve got your back.
Contact The Conversation Location PLLC at 910-853-0009 or email theconversationlocationpllc@gmail.com to start your journey toward greater focus and well-being.
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