Over the past two years Fathers Network Scotland's main focus has been on dads' mental health, and how services can better support them. At a time of heartbreakingly high levels of male suicide in Scotland, there is growing concern within the sector about the lack of mental health provision and inclusion for new dads, dads-to-be & partners.
In response to the outcome of the Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Fund, which sadly did not fund dad-specific organisations, our Programme Lead Chris Miezitis has written a paper about this critical public health issue HERE (a summary of the paper is also available HERE). The document has been sent to key individuals within the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland, with recommendations including:
- Starting to record the number of death by suicide of partners during the perinatal period. Currently only mothers are recorded
- Informing partners' GPs about the birth of a baby. Currently only mothers GPs are notified
- Providing adequate funding for men's mental health support and suicide prevention
- Funding the training of service-providers such as health visitors and midwives to recognise & ask about poor mental health in partners as well as mums.
We need your help! Join us and our partners at Andy’s Man Club, Mind the Men, Dads Rock, DadsWork, Home-Start Scotland & Circle, with a collective voice, to raise awareness and make sure action is taken on this critical issue. Please get in touch with [email protected] to find out more.