Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month
Becoming a New Dad
Happy June, and men’s mental health awareness month! Taking care of your mental health is essential at all times however, becoming a new parent often times can make this a bit harder to maintain. With June being men’s mental health awareness month, we thought what better time to discuss available resources that are intended to help out first time dads? These resources can include anything from a guide to becoming a dad, extra support and advice, and even ways that dads can support their partners during this time.
Becoming a dad
Becoming a first-time parent is always a stressful and unfamiliar time in someone’s life. First-time dads do not typically receive training or education on the changes they will experience after having a child. Not only does your title change, but your day-to-day life changes as well. Due to not receiving education prior to the baby being born, first-time dads often find themselves overwhelmed, anxious and stressed, and unfamiliar with how to support their partners during this extreme change.
Although a lot of people don’t know this, postpartum depression is actually pretty common within men. According to research conducted, about 10% of men experience depression right before or soon after their child is born. This can be caused by a number of things such as relationship dynamics changing, feeling left out if mom is better at bonding with the baby, provider pressure, sleep deprivation, medical history and much more (Cleveland Clinic, 2025). Male postpartum depression is even more likely to develop if their partner also has it.
What resources are available?
There are a number of different resources that are available to first-time dads. For starters, there are excellent podcasts, books, support groups, online communities, and so much more. A crucial step to possibly prevent postpartum depression from occurring is to be informed. Some great resources we swear by at Blissful Births and Babies include;
1. Dad University Podcast hosted Jason Kreidman includes evidence-based information and advice ranging from pregnancy all the way to raising teenagers. Dad University Podcast
2. The book: The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-to-Be, written by Armon Brott and Jennifer Ash covers all aspects of pregnancy and childbirth from a dad’s perspective. The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-to-Be (The New Father, 12): Brott, Armin A., Ash Rudick, Jennifer: 9780789212139: Amazon.com: Books
3. The book: The New Dad’s Survival Guide, written by Rob Kemp provides information on how to survive the first few weeks and months of fatherhood. Amazon.com: The New Dad's Survival Guide: What to Expect in the First Year and Beyond eBook : Kemp, Rob: Kindle Store
4. Online community groups: Rolling with Dad’s, The Fathering Project etc. ROLLING WITH DADS Dads Groups - by dads, for dads - The Fathering Project
5. Educational class pre-baby: Boot Camp for New Dad’s Boot Camp for New Dads
Looking back
With all of this information in mind, it is clear why supportive resources can be so helpful for first-time dads. Mental health within men is very real and it is important that we continue to acknowledge this as we grow as a society. The stereotype that men do not cry or experience emotional burdens can be extremely damaging to society and young boy’s perception of what it means to be a man. Knowing this, it is important to not only recognize and acknowledge men’s mental health, but to educate individuals and provide advocacy. Men can experience postpartum depression, and it is time that we stop ignoring it and start delivering support and education.
References
Yes, men can get postpartum depression. Cleveland Clinic. (2025b). https://health.clevelandclinic.org/yes-postpartum-depression-in-men-is-very-real