A new petition has called on NHS Wales for further mental health support for new fathers and parents
A petition by Mike Williams, an ambassador for male mental health, has called upon NHS Wales to follow advances in supporting male mental health.
The petition submitted to the National Assembly Wales has requested screenings and support for fathers with postnatal depression. Support schemes that were put in place by NHS England in December 2018, almost a full year ago.
A recent radical initiative by NHS England offers extensive support to new fathers. Ensuring that mental health for men is not overlooked and that new fathers are included in support services for parents.
NHS England’s chief executive, Simon Stevens said: “Mental health services need to step up and support families during times of extreme stress and anxiety”
Mike has spoken out for all new fathers in Wales through the petition. He said: “We feel the Welsh Government should be following and funding new father’s mental health.” He continued: “Lack of support can impact on mums and the development of the child.”
BBC journalist, Martin Daubney, recalled his own pressures with new fatherhood and the lack of support he was offered. He said: “I wasn’t asked at any point how I was coping, even though this was all new to me, too.”
Mind Cymru is an organisation that is aiming to widen its approach to men’s mental health. Working alongside NSPCC Wales, The National Centre for Mental Health and The Mental Health Foundation to explore gaps in perinatal mental health care. These organisations believe strongly that mental health services should have a clear pathway in place to refer to new fathers.
“We’re calling for services in Wales to produce good quality information resources for perinatal mental health conditions for partners.”
