New and expecting fathers in New South Wales will soon receive dedicated mental health and wellbeing checks integrated directly into the perinatal care pathway, under a new pilot program announced by the state government. According to the New South Wales Government, the initiative pairs NSW Health with men’s health organization Movember to address a significant gap in perinatal support for fathers.
Perinatal Mental Health Risks and Statistics for New Dads
According to NSW Government data, perinatal depression affects one in ten fathers between the first trimester and the year following their baby’s birth. Furthermore, anxiety conditions impact one in six dads during pregnancy and one in five during the postnatal period. Despite these high figures, routine checks historically focus exclusively on mothers and infants. According to Jeremy Phillips-Yelland, Director, Policy & Advocacy, Movember (and new dad to baby Leo), family members receive intensive care throughout pregnancy and birth, but fathers often slip through the cracks without a single check-in from practitioners.
How the Movember Wellbeing Pilot Operates
The new program embeds routine health and wellbeing checks for new and expecting fathers directly into existing antenatal and child health appointments, according to NSW Health. The initiative gives practitioners a structured opportunity to discuss mental wellbeing, identify specific support needs, and connect fathers with relevant services. According to the NSW Government, participating men will receive a comprehensive resource pack containing advice on available community resources and guidance on how to seek mental health support when needed.
Did You Know?
According to Movember research co-author Dr Michael Wilson, when fathers receive mental health support during the perinatal period, the entire family benefits. New dads often feel that reaching out for help takes attention away from their partner or baby, making dedicated practitioner check-ins vital.
Broader Mental Health Funding and State Budget Context
According to the NSW Government, this pilot program builds upon the Minns Labor Government’s $112.3 million investment to boost mental health care in the 2025-26 Budget. That broader funding allocation includes $43.3 million over four years for Lifeline to deliver its 13 11 14 crisis telephone line alongside text and webchat services. An additional $64.8 million extends services under the NSW-Commonwealth Government National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, while $4.3 million supports mental health peak bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the new NSW Health and Movember pilot involve?
According to NSW Health, the pilot introduces routine health and wellbeing checks for new and expecting fathers during existing perinatal appointments to discuss mental health and connect them with local support services.
How common is depression and anxiety among new fathers?
According to government statistics, depression affects one in ten dads from the first trimester until one year postpartum. Anxiety impacts one in six dads during pregnancy and one in five in the postnatal period.
Where can new or expecting parents find additional mental health support?
According to NSW Health, further information on parental mental health services is available directly on the official NSW Health website.
Support Local Families
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