There are calls for routine mental health screening of new fathers across the Upper Hunter following the release of a new report highlighting growing concerns.
The research reveals one in four new dads rate their health as only fair or poor, while one in five say they feel more lonely or isolated since becoming a father.
Despite the findings, three in five fathers surveyed say they were never asked about their mental health during their partner’s pregnancy or in the period following the birth of their child.
Michael Wilson from the Movember Institute of Men’s Health says the report points to a critical gap in how new fathers are supported, particularly in regional areas.
Advocates say routine screening could help identify issues earlier and improve outcomes for fathers, partners and children.
