Building Strong Fathers: Strategies for Supporting the Mental Well-being of Dads

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), 87% of American adults agree that mental health disorders are not something to be ashamed of.1 Although Americans have become more accepting of people experiencing mental health struggles, unprecedented levels of stress following the COVID-19 pandemic caused a mental health crisis where all but the very wealthy experienced some form of hardship.2 Over this period, many fathers struggled with anxiety, depression, overwhelming stress, and irritability that were reported but never treated. Despite the positive shift in public perception of mental health issues, many men are still reluctant to receive treatment because negative stereotypes persist.4 The increase in mental health issues during the early 2020s has not yet returned to baseline levels.3 These same fathers are still experiencing high levels of stress, depression, and substance misuse after devastating financial hardship and the loss of loved ones.  

Studies show that people who experience mental health issues may have a difficult time managing emotions.5 This can impact the well-being of children during critical stages of development.6 Parenting can be a strong motivator to address your own mental health. If you are concerned about a child’s well-being, having a conversation with that child’s father about mental health can be a step towards better health for both of them.  

Before beginning a conversation, figure out what exactly you want to talk about. Angry outbursts are one possible indicator that a person may be experiencing mental health challenges. It is important to understand why that might be happening. Pick an appropriate time and place to have a conversation. During the conversation, it is important to remember that mental health can be a sensitive subject. Approaching the conversation with compassion will help assure he is in a safe and understanding place to share his thoughts and feelings. 

One of the most helpful resources that every father should have in his phone is the Crisis Text Line. By texting HOME to 741741, people are connected to a trained counselor who can chat about stressful situations. The goal of the organization is to bring people from a hot moment down to a cool calm.7 This type of de-escalation can be a literal life-saver for people who work in stressful environments. The ability to talk to someone about the situation can help people understand their emotions and the behavior they are seeking to regulate. 

Support groups are another great way to improve the mental well-being of fathers. This is especially true among individuals suffering from substance misuse. Social media can be a great place to find support groups for substance misuse and other mental health issues. This can include Facebook, Reddit, or even Discord. New fathers may be interested in groups focusing on the unique challenges that come with adjusting to fatherhood. 

Finally, we must all do our part to destigmatize mental health in our communities. 1 in 5 U.S. adults suffer from mental illness.8 Mental health issues are not just something you are born with. In a world filled with stress, hardship, and loss, it is important for us all to remember that anyone can experience a mental health challenge. Many fathers think that getting help makes them weak, but getting mental health treatment makes them stronger, while improving the well-being of their children. A thriving family is one that addresses mental health as part of a whole-person, whole-health strategy.  

Resources for people experiencing a mental health issue: 

Crisis Text Line (crisistextline.org) is an organization providing free counselors to anyone who texts HOME to 741741. Conversations are had via text. 

NAMI (nami.org) is an organization providing information and resources on a wide range of mental illnesses, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, OCD, depression, and many more. 

Psychology Today (psychologytoday.com) is a website that allows users to find therapists in their area. Filters allow users to find therapists who specialize in their area of need (i.e. trauma and PTSD). 

The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (aamft.org) is an organization that provides information and resources on family centered therapy. 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (samhsa.gov) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that prioritizes behavioral health issues.  

References 

1. American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Mental health. [https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/apa-mental-health-report.pdf]. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/mental-health 

2. Witteveen, D., & Velthorst, E. (2020). Economic hardship and mental health complaints during COVID-19. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(44), 27277–27284. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2009609117 

3. Penninx, B. W. J. H., Benros, M. E., Klein, R. S., & Vinkers, C. H. (2022). How COVID-19 shaped mental health: from infection to pandemic effects. Nature Medicine, 28(10), 2027–2037. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-022-02028-2 

4. Norman, N. (2023, September). The Changing View of Men on Mental Health. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mens-mental-health-matters/202309/the-changing-view-of-men-on-mental-health 

5. Gross, J. J., & Gross, R. D. (2011). The impaired regulation of emotions model: A model for depression and anxiety. Psychological Inquiry, 22(3), 161–174. 

6. Scarlett, H., Moirangthem, S., & van der Waerden, J. (2023). The impact of paternal mental illness on child development: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. European child & adolescent psychiatry, 10.1007/s00787-023-02261-1. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-023-02261-1 

7. Crisis Text Line. (n.d.). Crisis Text Line: Spread the Word. Retrieved from https://www.crisistextline.org/spread-the-word/ 

1. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). (2023, February). Mental health by the numbers. https://www.nami.org/