You're not the only dad feeling this way.
Postpartum depression doesn't only happen to moms, and it can knock fathers flat too. Whether you're struggling yourself or watching your wife or partner struggle, you deserve support, and you don't have to figure it out alone.
Worried about a dad you love? Start here.
Almost nobody asks the dad
Half a minute on what the first year can feel like for a father, and where to start.
Not one person’s story, but an interpretation of what many new dads go through. The people in it were created, not filmed.
Start with what you're facing
"Something's off with me."
Anger, numbness, working late to avoid going home. Depression in dads often doesn't look like sadness. It's common and it's treatable.
Signs in dads"I'm worried about her."
Learn the signs, what to say, how to help her get care, and how to keep yourself standing while you do.
Scared right now? Call or text 1-833-852-6262, the 24/7 Maternal Mental Health Hotline. Partners can call too.
How to help her"I just need to talk."
Our free, members-only message board is a place to vent and ask questions. It's new and still growing, and you'll need a free account to read or post. Postpartum Support International also runs free video groups for dads.
Visit the communityShort reads for the hard bits
Free, no sign-up, written for dads. These are the ones dads open most.
Worn down and running on empty
Short fuse, no patience left, counting the hours. It does lift.
When the crying won’t stop
What to do when you’re at your limit, starting with the safest thing.
Can’t sleep even when the baby does
Wired and exhausted at the same time, staring at the ceiling.
Who takes the night
A printable 2-night plan so you both get one real block of sleep.
How to talk to your doctor
Plain words to use. You don’t have to say the word depression.
Free support groups for dads
Where to find other dads, online and free.
1 in 10 new fathers experience depression during pregnancy or in the first year after birth.
Dads whose partners have postpartum depression face an even higher risk. Many never hear that it can happen to them, so they don't recognize it or ask for help.
Source: Paulson & Bazemore, JAMA, 2010, a review of 43 studies.
It doesn't always look like depression
If several of these have lasted more than two weeks, it's worth talking to a doctor or therapist.
- Short temper, irritability, or anger
- Pulling away from your partner or baby
- Working more to avoid home
- More drinking, gaming, or scrolling
- Feeling numb, trapped, or hopeless
- Can't sleep even when the baby does
- Constant worry or racing thoughts
- Feeling like your family would be better off without you
If you've thought your family would be better off without you, that one is serious. Please call or text 988 now.