The transition to parenthood is often described as one of life’s most profound changes. While much of the focus during pregnancy and the postnatal period understandably centres on mothers and babies, there is growing recognition that fathers are navigating their own significant emotional, psychological and identity shifts during this time.
As a clinical psychologist, I frequently see how deeply fathers care about being present, engaged and supportive partners and parents. Yet many describe feeling uncertain about where they fit within the perinatal care system. They attend appointments, support their partners through pregnancy and birth, and adapt to the demands of caring for a newborn, often while managing their own emotional challenges quietly in the background.
Emerging research from Movember’s recent fatherhood report highlights this gap. Their survey of more than 1,200 Australian fathers found that while today’s dads are more involved in caregiving than previous generations and place enormous value on their role as parents, many feel overlooked by health and support services. Three in five fathers reported that no health professional asked about their mental health during pregnancy or the first year after birth, despite this being a period of heightened vulnerability for psychological distress.
Importantly, supporting fathers is not about shifting attention away from mothers and babies. Rather, it is about recognising that family wellbeing is interconnected. Research consistently shows that paternal mental health influences partner wellbeing, parent-child relationships and child development outcomes. When fathers are supported, families are strengthened.
The perinatal period offers a unique opportunity to engage men in conversations about their wellbeing. Fathers are often in regular contact with health services during pregnancy and the early parenting years, yet many report feeling like observers rather than participants in care. Simple changes can make a meaningful difference: routinely asking fathers how they are coping, including them in discussions about adjustment to parenthood, providing information tailored to their needs, and ensuring they know where to access support if they need it.
Beyond healthcare settings, community connection is equally important. Mothers are often connected with mothers’ groups and established support networks, while fathers can find themselves navigating parenthood with fewer opportunities for peer support. Movember’s findings suggest that fathers would benefit from greater investment in father-specific community programs, support groups and opportunities to connect with other dads experiencing similar challenges. Feelings of loneliness and isolation are not uncommon during the transition to fatherhood, and creating spaces where men can share experiences openly can play a protective role for mental health.
Encouragingly, we are seeing a generation of fathers who want to do parenting differently. Many are seeking closer emotional connections with their children, greater involvement in daily care and a more balanced approach to work and family life. What they need now are systems that recognise and support those aspirations.
When we include fathers in perinatal care, acknowledge their experiences and create pathways for connection and support, we are not simply supporting dads. We are investing in healthier parents, stronger relationships and better outcomes for children. Fatherhood is a major life transition, and fathers deserve to be seen, included and supported through it.
