The impact a new baby can have on fathers is frequently underestimated, according to a father who had a breakdown after witnessing the traumatic birth of his son.
Mark Williams, 48, claimed that the birth and helping his wife through postpartum depression had both had a "massive impact" on his mental health.
In the labor ward, he claimed, "I first experienced a panic attack while fearing for the lives of my wife and unborn child.".
Mark, a resident of Bridgend, claimed that he had endured years of depression in silence.
Then, in 2004, when his wife went into labor, he saw her suffer for a long time and had to watch helplessly as she was taken to the hospital.
He had post-natal depression diagnosed in his wife when their child was still a young infant.
Naturally, I saw my wife go through those things as well, he added.
"I was drinking, avoiding people, and I was really ill. " .
He started looking for assistance but found it difficult and discovered that there wasn't much discussion about new dads and mental health. .
After receiving treatment, he was eventually identified as having ADHD as well as depression and anxiety.
His improved mental health, according to him, was a result of therapy, medication, and learning coping mechanisms through cognitive behavioral therapy. .
He is now a supporter of fathers' mental health and wants to see more assistance given to newly-promising fathers. .
According to him, "the relationship and obviously the child as well" could be impacted if the father is experiencing mental health or confidence issues, in whatever form they may take.
We must therefore support all parents, which is really important. ".
Mark has been helping the Torfaen For Dads By Dads group, which informs young and expectant fathers about the difficulties of fatherhood in its early stages.
Another father, Jacob Guy, who founded the group, explained: "There were times when I did feel a little bit isolated and needed more information to be the best dad that I could be.
When Jacob, a 41-year-old man from Chepstow, Monmouthshire, became a father, he felt that he lacked a network of peers who were experiencing the same thing and could relate.
He searched for local dad groups but was unable to find the help he needed.
In 2022, he made the decision to create a 10-week program designed to provide dads with a safe haven and to educate new and expectant dads by conducting workshops on a variety of topics.
Fathers who participate in the group have the chance to exchange experiences, create a network of support, and face the difficulties that come with fatherhood. .
And that help is crucial: One in ten fathers, or about the same percentage as mothers, experience post-natal depression, according to the British Journal of Midwifery.
According to social enterprise DadPad, which was developed with the NHS and real-life dads, up to 38% of new fathers are concerned about their mental health and want more support.
The Welsh government announced investments in networks and teams for perinatal mental health.
We are still dedicated to enhancing perinatal mental health services, and we're going to think about what else we can do. .
Jacob claimed to have observed the beneficial effects that interacting with other fathers had on brand-new fathers. .
They now have more confidence because they are aware that we won't always get it right, he added.
"If we mess up, we pick ourselves up, and we start over.
. "
