The Fathering Project

Looking after your mental health

Mental health is about our psychological, emotional, and social well-being—how we think, feel, and act. Good mental health helps us live positively, handle life’s changes, and face challenges.

Mental health issues can include depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and more. It’s normal to feel sad, tense, angry, or anxious sometimes, but if these feelings last a long time, they might be signs of a mental health problem.

For new dads, it’s important to watch out for signs of anxiety and depression. About 1 in 10 new fathers will face mental health challenges, but these often go unnoticed and untreated.

Mental health problems can be caused by:

• Biological factors like genes or brain chemistry
• Life experiences such as stress or trauma
• Family history of mental health issues

Just like physical health, good mental health is crucial for being the best dad you can be. To keep your mental health in check, try to:

• Have a variety of interests (work, family, sports, hobbies) and do things you enjoy.
• Learn skills to cope with stress, like anger management, relaxation techniques, or being assertive.
• Build a support network of people you trust and can talk to.
• Don’t feel like you have to handle everything alone—talk to someone and ask for help when you need it.

If you’re struggling, call Lifeline at 131 114 or Beyond Blue at 1300 224 636.