New dads just as likely to struggle as new mums

• Poll finds 3% of new mothers and new fathers consider suicide, even momentarily, in first year of parenthood
• Men are three times more likely than women to die by suicide (ONS)
• 93% of the population said mothers play a "very important role" in the lives of their children, compared to 84% who said the same about fathers
• £290 million invested in wellbeing of new and expectant mums; charity says new and expectant dads “need attention too”

Ahead of Fathers’ Day, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) has released the results of a poll showing that men are just as likely as women to struggle in the first year of parenthood.

An equal proportion (3%) of mothers and fathers reported feeling suicidal, even momentarily, in the first year of parenthood, which often involves a focus on women’s health and wellbeing. However, men are three times more likely than women to take their own life, with men accounting for 76% of all suicides in the UK (ONS).

CALM, an award-winning charity dedicated to preventing male suicide, commissioned the research to learn more about the gender bias in how parents are perceived and supported.

Jane Powell, CEO of CALM, said: “Fathers’ Day is a great moment to consider the role dads and father figures play in children’s lives. We see from these figures that becoming a parent is just as challenging for men as it is for women. However, three times more men than women take their own lives so it’s clear dads could and should be getting more support.”

In January the government announced a £290 million investment in specialist mental health care for mums before and after having their babies.

Powell continued: “The government’s investment in the wellbeing of new and expectant mums is much needed and very welcome. CALM’s research makes it plain that new and expectant dads need attention too. Suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 45 (ONS), which means a huge number of families are losing dads way too soon.”

The charity Working with Men found gender bias in services available to fathers. CEO Shane Ryan said: “Services believe they are gender neutral, but research and practice tell us that all too often fatherhood is seen as an add-on, while motherhood is viewed as essential. Fathers themselves see services as being for mothers.”

CALM’s research reflects this difference in how people see the importance of mothers and fathers. The poll revealed that 93% of the population said mothers play a "very important role" in the lives of their children, compared to 84% who said the same about fathers.

The biggest discrepancy in how mothers’ and fathers’ roles are perceived was seen among younger people. Whilst 84% of 16-24 year olds said they thought mothers play a “very important” role in children’s lives, 73% said the same of fathers. 

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.