NCT’s 'Being Dad' weekly podcasts explore the challenges dads face becoming a parent
The emotional wellbeing of dads is often overlooked when it comes to providing support and care during the perinatal period (from conception to one year after the birth of a baby). Whilst we now recognise more widely that this time can prove challenging for mums’ mental health, becoming a father can also be a particularly challenging and vulnerable time too. Fathers may go on to develop perinatal mental health issues, either as a result of their partner's illness or independently.
There is a clear need for dads’ emotional wellbeing to be supported through this time to help them to cope with the challenges parenthood provides. Peer support from other dads who have been there, can help them to navigate this time and normalise the challenges dads face, empowering and nurturing their confidence as a parent.
NCT Charity have put together a series of podcasts around ‘Being Dad’. From dealing with changes in relationships to the pressures and challenges dads face, these podcasts are honest reflections from dads who have been there. Sharing their own experiences, these dads talk openly about how they felt in the early days of becoming a parent.
All these weird, anxious thoughts would kind of pop in my head, and it was all around something was gonna go wrong. And I found that really overwhelming.
These podcasts and videos are made and produced by the dads themselves.
The full series is available to watch on YouTube
If you or a dad you know is struggling, do encourage them to seek support. There are several dads and men’s mental health peer support initiatives who can provide one-to-one or group support available across the UK.
You can search for a support service near you via the Hearts & Minds Partnership’s interactive map: https://heartsandmindspartnership.org/map
NCT offer a variety of antenatal and postnatal courses and workshops for new mums and dads. Find out more about their services: https://www.nct.org.uk/courses-workshops