Men with a history of depression are 8 times more likely to have depression in the year after becoming a father, according to new research by the Australian Institute of Family Studies.
Drawing on data from Ten To Men, the world’s largest longitudinal study on male health, the report examines the mental health, physical health and barriers men face in accessing care when they become fathers for the first time.
While first-time fatherhood is a positive experience for most men, those who had pre-existing depression, obesity and insufficient sleep were likely to experience those issues after becoming a father.
Overall, first-time fathers were 29% less likely to experience moderate or severe depression in the year after becoming fathers compared to men who had not become fathers.
Health outcomes such as sleep and weight were similar between fathers and non-fathers. However, men who were already experiencing obesity or insufficient sleep before becoming fathers were more likely to continue facing those issues after the birth of their child.
The research also found that younger fathers, as well as those living in more disadvantaged areas and major cities, were more likely to experience new-onset depression during this period.
“These findings suggest that more work needs to be done in providing support services and better integrating fathers into the maternal and child health system – and making those systems and services more accessible,” Ten to Men Program Lead Dr Sean Martin said. “This is not just a men’s health issue – the wider impacts on families, children, workplaces and communities if fathers aren’t mentally and physically well can be significant.”
When it came to accessing health services, most first-time fathers turned to their GP, with 84% visiting a doctor in the year after becoming a father. However, the most commonly reported barriers to care for new fathers were health system-related, such as service availability and wait times.
“We know that a man’s health and wellbeing before conception can have a significant impact on how he copes with the transition to becoming a father,” AIFS Senior Researcher Dr Constantine Gasser said. “GPs play a vital role in supporting men as they prepare for fatherhood. Early conversations – ideally before conception – can help men strengthen their health and wellbeing, setting them up for a confident and healthy transition into parenthood.”
Fatherhood can begin in many ways, such as the birth of a child, adoption and step-parenting. In this study, most participants were first-time fathers of very young children, so the health outcomes explored primarily reflect experiences during the first year of fatherhood.
“Fatherhood isn’t just about bringing a baby home. It’s about making sure dads are healthy, happy and able to be there for their kids and partners. When dads do well, families do well, and that’s good for the whole community,” Special Envoy for Men’s Health Dan Repacholi said. “As a dad myself, I know how quickly sleep goes out the window, how life changes overnight and how hard it can be to juggle it all. That’s why the Ten to Men study is so important. It gives us the data we need to design policies that actually help Aussie blokes in the real world.”
Funded by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the Ten To Men study has been tracking more than 16,000 boys and men since 2013 (with an additional 10,000 men added in 2024-25), asking them about significant issues such as gambling, drinking, drug use, family violence, social connection and mental health.
“Historically, we as a society haven’t supported men enough to be the best fathers they can be. This study is part of a broader effort by the Albanese Labor Government to champion men’s physical and mental health, and better support dads to be the best they can be,” Assistant Minister for Social Services and the Prevention of Family Violence Ged Kearney said. “If we want women’s economic equality, we must support men’s domestic equality. That means shining a light on fatherhood.”
Read also: Aussie men’s mental health challenges cost the nation $3.76B yearly
Geraldine is currently the Content Producer for Third Sector, an Akolade channel. Throughout her career, she has written for various industries and international audiences. Her love for writing extends beyond the corporate world, as she also works as a volunteer writer at her local church. Aside from writing, she is also fond of joining fun runs and watching musicals.
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