5 Mental Health Tips For Dads This Father’s Day
There’s a lot of research about “mom brain” and a woman’s mental (and physical) state after having children, but what about dads? Men suffer from mental health issues and disorders like anxiety and depression too, but it’s less talked about and, honestly, more stigmatized.
In fact, more than six million men suffer from depression a year, but they’re less likely to get a mental health diagnosis than women are. Experts note men might stress more than women about the responsibility of supporting a family, for example, as well as juggling work pressures with spending time with the kids (things moms stress about too!)
A new study out of Rutgers University in New Jersey found that dads with poor mental health can negatively affect their children; children exposed to “paternal depression around age five are more likely to experience behavioral challenges in grade school.” All that’s to say that men need to focus on their emotional state, if not for their own sake then for their kids’.
Easier said than done, especially given the mental load that comes along with being a parent. But there’s no shame in focusing on yourself a little too.
Here are 5 tips for dads who could use some extra emotional support. Self-care isn’t just for the ladies, you know!
Seek out helpful resources. There are a handful of non-profit organizations that work to help fathers who are going through it, offering up a sense of community as well as useful information. A few to check out: Fathers Mental Health, National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse, Therapy for Black Men, and Man Therapy.
Do more of what you love. It sounds cliche, but making time for what makes you happy can help you clear your mind. Find your “thing” and set aside time each week to do it, whether that’s watching sports with your friends, being out in nature, or, if you’re my husband, collecting WWE action figures…
Take care of yourself. Eating healthy, staying active, getting a full night’s sleep, and avoiding smoking are all important pieces in your overall mental health puzzle. Starting and keeping to healthy habits can help you stay mentally fit as a father, and helps you give your kids the best version of you.
Communicate your needs. It’s not just the women who should be asking for help. Speak up and request assistance when you’re struggling, whether that’s more support from your co-parent, a therapist who can teach you coping mechanisms, or medication to alleviate your anxious thoughts.
Spend quality time with your kids. A recent study found that the family patriarch simply being present and living in the same home as their children was the strongest predictor of a close father/child bond when they hit adolescence. Plus, being with your children can help boost your mood, as well as build up your confidence as a dad.
Dads, what’s your go-to mental health ‘hack?’
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