Breaking the Silence: Exploring Fathers' Perspectives on Perinatal Mental Health and Navigating Fatherhood

Traditionally, mental health support during the perinatal period is focused on women, leaving paternal mental health unnoticed. However, literature evidence suggests that addressing paternal mental health issues and promoting fathers' emotional well-being can benefit the whole family. This study explores fathers' perspectives and first-hand experiences with paternal perinatal mental health. This study used semi-structured interviews to collect qualitative data from fathers who met specific criteria. Fifty individuals completed mental health and well-being questionnaires, and 15 were purposively selected for interviews based on their scores, ensuring a diverse representation of well-being outcomes. Data was analysed using thematic analysis, and the authors adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines. In this paper, we use perinatal mental health as an umbrella term that encompasses mental health problems such as anxiety, stress and depression. Five major themes were identified: 'Factors contributing to paternal mental health problems', 'Interaction with partner', 'Birth and first post-partum days', 'Providing for the family' and 'Engagement with maternity services'. The study emphasises the significant impact mental health problems have on fathers during their transition to parenthood, causing increased stress and feelings of being left out. Adapting to new parental duties often results in psychological stress, with many fathers feeling they do not deserve support. A notable gap exists in perinatal support networks and services tailored for fathers, underscoring an urgent need for dedicated resources to enhance paternal mental health and overall well-being.