A call service for new and expecting parents facing perinatal and infant mental health symptoms has seen a rise in the number of men seeking help. ForWhen is a short-term support line, which has connected thousands of callers with local counsellors since it launched three years ago. The service is encouraging men to start conversations and access support during the early stages of parenthood.
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00:00For as long as he can remember, Lachlan knew he wanted to be a dad.
00:06When she got there, the fire was out.
00:09But in the weeks after his son was born, the stress of the situation saw his mental health decline.
00:15I was in fight-or-flight mode and there was no real end to what was happening for me.
00:21He was referred to 4WEN.
00:23You've got the 4WEN Helpline. You're speaking with Erin. How can I help?
00:26A national helpline connecting new and expecting parents with local support.
00:31I think I was familiar with postnatal depression within mothers in particular.
00:36I'd never really heard that term used for fathers or secondary carers before.
00:41Oh, that sounds really tough.
00:42The service has had an influx of callers since it launched just over three years ago, especially among men.
00:48It can be really hard for men to reach out for support and particularly in the perinatal period
00:53where they might see their needs are secondary to their partners.
00:57So they kind of take a bit of a back roll.
01:00The team will often call parents back to check on their wellbeing.
01:03Struggling in terms of relationships.
01:05At one of the busiest points in their life.
01:08If dads don't reach out for support, then it's going to impact the whole family.
01:12Councillor Sean Manair is also starting to see more men with symptoms.
01:16A lot of men are probably under the impression that this is an amazing time and being a new father is this incredible experience.
01:23And then the baby arrives and they don't feel that.
01:28He says withdrawing from everyday activities and changes to diet and sleep are among the early warning signs.
01:35Postnatal depression in men is a bit of an abstract concept that people just haven't really thought of up until the point that they're experiencing it.
01:45About one in ten Australian men experience mental health symptoms during the pregnancy phase or within their child's first 12 months.
01:52And with more services available, it means seeking help has never been easier.
01:57And that phone call proceeded to change my life and our lives in a positive way.