Emerging Power: Supporting Fathers* Mental Health in the Perinatal Period

When we talk about perinatal mental health, the focus is almost always on birthing people — and for good reason. But there’s another side of the story that’s rarely told: the emotional and mental well-being of non-birthing partners, particularly fathers.

At a time when so many families are redefining what parenting looks like — who shows up, who nurtures, who leads — we cannot afford to overlook the mental health of all parents.

*Note: This blog focuses on the experience of cisgender, heterosexual fathers, who are often excluded from perinatal mental health conversations. However, we recognize and affirm the mental health needs of all non-birthing partners, including those who are queer, trans, and nonbinary.

Yes, Non-Birthing Partners Struggle Too

It might surprise you to learn that about 1 in 10 new fathers experience postpartum depression or anxiety. For Black fathers and fathers of color, the numbers may be even higher due to systemic barriers and cultural pressures to “man up” and stay silent.

For other non-birthing partners — especially those in LGBTQ+ families — the lack of representation, culturally competent care, and affirming spaces can create additional layers of isolation and stress.

The Invisible Load of New Parenthood

Many non-birthing partners are taught that their role is to support — not to feel. So when stress, fear, or trauma show up, they often suppress it or mislabel it as just being “tired” or “not cut out for this.”

And if their partner is experiencing postpartum depression or trauma? They may push their own needs aside entirely, setting the stage for burnout, resentment, or emotional disconnection.

Why It Matters

Supporting non-birthing partners doesn’t just help them — it helps everyone:

• Babies thrive when all caregivers are emotionally attuned and present

• Birthing parents feel more supported when their partner is emotionally healthy

• Families stabilize faster when both partners have tools to cope and connect

This is not about taking the focus off birthing people — it’s about recognizing the emotional ecosystem of the whole family.

What Support Can Look Like

At I Deserve Mental Wellness Services, we believe all parents deserve healing. Here’s what better support could look like:

✅ Normalize Emotional Check-ins

Ask non-birthing partners how they’re doing — at OB appointments, pediatric visits, and postpartum check-ins. Mental health doesn’t begin or end with birth.

🧠 Include Them in Screenings

Tools like the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and PHQ-9 can be used for fathers and non-birthing partners too — but few providers offer them.

💬 Create Space for Story and Identity

Partners need a place to talk about role changes, grief, fear, and identity. That may be therapy, peer support, or affirming community spaces.

👥 Tailor Community Resources

Support groups, fatherhood initiatives, LGBTQ+ parenting networks, and trauma-informed education for partners all make a difference.

Let’s Change the Narrative

Non-birthing partners are not just helpers. They are parents — with mental health needs, emotional depths, and powerful potential for healing.

Let’s stop asking them to be strong instead of whole. Let’s give them the support they deserve — not just to survive the perinatal period, but to emerge powerful, connected, and emotionally well.

We’re Here for All Parents

At I Deserve Mental Wellness Services, we specialize in the perinatal mental health of birthing people — and we also support partners navigating the emotional terrain of new parenthood. Whether you're a father, a queer co-parent, or a partner seeking to show up with intention, you deserve to be seen.

🔗 [Book a Consultation]📍 Serving clients virtually across Georgia💬 Reach out with questions — we’re here to help.

Because healing is for the whole family. 🧡