Father and Child have supported dads with post-natal issues for nearly 20 years, all over New Zealand by telephone and personal support. We attend dads nights as part of ‘Mothers Helpers’ support groups.

Evan Hutchinson, who had post-natal depression in 2010, and partner Nicole Hunt with seven-month-old baby, Laila. PHOTO/JOHN BORREN

We usually chat with the dads about their situation, offer some understanding and support. We may suggest ways dads can help by playing heaps with baby or sorting a ‘date night’ with their partner, sometimes we might mention a few things we suggest not to do. Most times it helps dad to cope and get through those tricky first few weeks or months, understand subtle changes in the relationship and that he had hormone changes too!

Our Auckland Support Worker Brendon Smith is also part of the PADA team, presenting on training days around the country on how best to engage and support dads, as part of the family and mother support by Maternal Mental Health Teams and support groups like Mothers Helpers.

Anna Whyte of the Bay of Plenty Times has just written a great article covering the topic… she quotes experts from the Mental Health Foundation, they say PND affects around ten percent of fathers. Currently neither they, nor the DHBs or MSD offer any information or support for fathers.

Read the article here:
Sad dads: Fathers coping with post-natal depression

Father and Child are taking referrals from MMH Teams at the new Mother and Baby PND support unit at Starship, as well as the respite homes in Manurewa and Waitakere. We know that if we don’t help these dads, possibly nobody will.