Support systems for new dads and their mental health can be sporadic across the UK.
Different NHS boards and council provisions mean for some, finding support while navigating becoming a parent can be tricky.
Research by Fathers Network Scotland suggests that 83% of dads who looked for professional support found it was not easy or possible to find the help they needed.
Mental health charity South East London Mind run a programme called ‘Being Dad’, which is meant to offer help to those who face difficulty accessing services.
South East London Mind provide free four week courses for expectant and new dads covering topics from understanding their new identity, supporting partners and techniques for managing stress and tiredness.
Service Manager at South East London Mind Belinda Graham said: “When you are a parent who is struggling the last thing you need is red tape or postcode lottery where you can’t get access to what you need.”
Having services like these available is very important, as building evidence suggests conditions such as post-natal depression can be 2-3x higher when a partner is already experiencing it.
They also highlighted that alongside the learning, the group provides a space where conversations can be had about the little things.
South East London Mind Project Coordinator Neil Peters said: “It’s a safe thing to talk about, that you can’t cope with sleepless nights, or you’re getting to grips with changing nappies, but actually all these other emotional things don’t often get talked about quite the same way.
“Coming together as dads who are going through the same shared experiences at the same time gives them the space to do that which they may not have elsewhere.”
The lasting impacts of these services is also clear, with the South East service leading to the creation of support groups who can meet for coffee and walks and continue the important conversations.
One single dad, who used the service, highlights exactly why it is so important people can access them.
He said: “As a separated, single father and the sole primary carer of my 13-month-old son, I have been navigating the challenges of early parenthood largely without support or advocacy.
“The Being Dad group was extremely useful for me both practically and emotionally. It also helped up my confidence as a parent by reinforcing that my challenges were valid and manageable.”
This is a Lewisham and Greenwich funded service, funded by local councils, with priority given to Lewisham and Greenwich residents, but dads from Bromley, Lambeth and Southwark are welcome too if space is available.
The support and services can be found on the South East London Mind website.
Featured Image Credit: South East London Mind
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