Taking care of yourself

It can be overwhelming when you are trying to support your wife or partner as well as adapting to a new baby. It is not unusual for Dads to feel stressed, overwhelmed, isolated, sad, guilty, and/or frustrated during a partner’s pregnancy or after the birth of a baby.

What are the symptoms of depression in men?

Fact sheet and resources from PANDA (based in Australia)

It is important that you get the help you need. Need to Talk?

Call the Distress Centres of Greater Toronto Helpline to talk about how you are feeling and find out about resources that are available in the community. Call 905-459-7777 (1-877-298-5444 from Caledon, TTY 905-278-4890) 24.7. Multilingual support line is available anytime between 10 am and 10 pm.

Call a Peel Public Health Nurse between 8:30 am and 4:30 PM Monday to Friday. They can help to direct you to resources for you and your family 905-799-7700.

Chat with an Expert: Postpartum Support International hosts ‘Chats for Men’ on the first Monday of every month.

Check to see if your workplace has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Many EAP programs offer support and counselling (often on-line or in-person). Any contact you make through your EAP is confidential.

Websites

Postpartummen.com Information for dads who may be feeling blue or may be experiencing Postpartum Depression.

Postpartumdads.org Provides information to help dads and families through PPD.

Panda.org.au Supports families affected by anxiety and depression during pregnancy and the first year of parenthood.

How is Dad Going? Emotional and mental health support for new and expecting dads.

Just for Dads Information for dads to be and new dads

Heads Up Guys  A non-profit campaign and website that features strategies for managing and preventing depression in men, as well as a depression self-check survey.

See our Community Resources Page for more information about services.

Videos

Fathers Respond to Perinatal and Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Three dads tell their stories about supporting their wives through their Postpartum Mood Disorder

Behind the Mask: The Hidden Struggle of Parenthood on youtube: Produced in Australia, this video shares the stories of mothers and fathers with PMD, and presents information by health care professionals.