June 16th 2024.
Joel Gratcyk will never forget the moment when it all became too much for him to handle. He was driving, on the side of the road, when he broke down in tears. His newborn son was in the backseat, but instead of feeling the joy and happiness that comes with fatherhood, Joel was consumed by a deep sadness and a sense of overwhelming stress. He couldn't shake the fear that he wasn't cut out to be a good parent.
"I just knew, at that moment, that I needed help," Joel, now 42 years old, recalled. "There was just too much going on, and I couldn't do it all on my own."
But Joel is not alone in his experience. Recent research has shown that fathers, just like mothers, can suffer from postpartum depression. In fact, experts estimate that around 10% of fathers will experience this condition, while about 14% of mothers will. This realization has led to a growing movement to shift the focus towards men's mental health and provide support for the entire family.
Sam Wainwright, lead author of a new pilot study at the University of Illinois at Chicago, believes that men should be routinely screened for postpartum depression. As an assistant professor of internal medicine and pediatrics, Wainwright has seen firsthand the effects of gendered care silos that often leave fathers out of the conversation when it comes to postpartum care.
"It seems obvious to me that this separation of care has excluded dads from this crucial time," Wainwright said.
As we approach Father's Day, Joel reflects on his two sons, now 7 and 11 years old. He hopes that as they grow older, they will feel comfortable expressing their emotions and being vulnerable with him.
"Having open and honest conversations with my sons gives me hope that this dialogue will continue to evolve," Joel said.
For many years, postpartum depression was only associated with women, as they experience more obvious physical and hormonal changes after giving birth. Treatment typically involves counseling or medication, and in August, the FDA even approved a medication specifically for postpartum depression. However, recent research has shown that men also experience a dip in testosterone levels after becoming a father, which can lead to mood changes. Paternal postpartum depression usually sets in three to six months after the baby's birth.
The study conducted by Wainwright and his team surveyed 24 new fathers and found that 30% of them screened positive for postpartum depression. Wainwright believes this number may be even higher, as 87% of the participants were from racial or ethnic minority groups, who are more likely to face systemic economic disparities and are at a higher risk for mental health issues.
Regular screening of fathers during baby checkups could help identify and address postpartum depression early on, according to Wainwright.
"It's about acknowledging that men matter and their health matters, not just as a means to maternal health," he said.
Previously, Wainwright's work had primarily focused on women's health. But with the UI Two-Generation Clinic, which offers postpartum care for mothers and pediatric checkups under one roof, Wainwright is now able to cater to the needs of marginalized communities of color.
As we celebrate Father's Day, let's not forget the importance of supporting new fathers during this vulnerable time. After all, happy and healthy fathers make for happy and healthy families.
Joel Gratcyk will never forget the moment when he reached his breaking point. He pulled over his car to the side of the road, tears streaming down his face. It was supposed to be one of the happiest times of his life, becoming a father for the first time. However, instead of feeling joy, he was consumed by a deep sadness while his newborn son sat in the backseat.
The overwhelming stress, lack of sleep, and fear of not being a good parent had finally taken its toll on Joel. "I just knew, at that moment, I needed help," he recalled. "There was just too much going on, and I couldn't handle it on my own."
Joel's experience is not unique. Recent research has shown that fathers, just like their female partners, can also experience postpartum depression (PPD). It is estimated that around 10% of dads will go through this condition, while about 14% of moms will.
In light of this, a new pilot study from the University of Illinois at Chicago suggests that men should be routinely screened for PPD. This is part of a larger movement to shift the conversation around men's mental health and provide support for the entire family unit.
Lead author of the study and assistant professor of internal medicine and pediatrics at UIC, Sam Wainwright, believes that it is crucial to include fathers in the discussion about postpartum mental health. "To me, it feels obvious that we have created these gendered care silos, which have excluded dads from this important time," he said.
As Father's Day approaches, Joel reflects on his journey as a father to his now 7 and 11-year-old sons. He hopes that they will grow up feeling comfortable expressing their emotions and being vulnerable. "Having those kinds of conversations with my sons, and seeing them be able to be honest and open with me, gives me hope for the conversation to continue to evolve," he shared.
Not too long ago, PPD was only associated with women, as they undergo significant physical and hormonal changes during the postnatal period. Treatment usually involves counseling or medication, and in August, the FDA even approved a specific oral medication for PPD.
However, studies have shown that men are not immune to the emotional challenges of becoming a new parent. In fact, research has found that fathers can experience lower levels of testosterone after the birth of their child, which can affect their mood. Paternal PPD typically sets in three to six months after the baby's arrival.
The study also revealed that PPD in dads can have a detrimental impact on the family's quality of life and lead to developmental and relational issues. "Many times, fathers feel overwhelmed by this new experience," explained psychologist Sheehan Fisher of Northwestern Memorial Hospital. "They are trying to figure out how to adjust, but they don't have a blueprint on how to be a father."
The study surveyed 24 new fathers and found that 30% of them screened positive for PPD. Wainwright believes that this number may be higher than average because 87% of the participants belonged to a racial or ethnic minority group. These communities may be more prone to mental health issues due to institutionalized economic disparities.
Wainwright firmly believes that regular screening of men during baby checkups could help prevent PPD. "To me, it's about taking a stand and telling men that 'You matter, your health matters,' and not just for the sake of maternal health," he emphasized.
In the past, Wainwright's work primarily focused on women's health. However, the UI Two-Generation Clinic, which conducted the study, offers comprehensive postpartum care for mothers and pediatric checkups. It primarily serves economically marginalized communities of color.
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