Please join us to explore this important topic with Paige Bellenbaum, LCSW, PMH-C.

While much of the perinatal mental health conversation centers around mothers and birthing people, up to 1 in 10 fathers and partners experience significant mental health challenges during the perinatal period—often in silence. Shame, stigma, and a lack of culturally responsive care prevent many from seeking support, leaving mental health conditions untreated. Lack of support and access to appropriate care can impact not only the father's/non-birthing parent’s well-being but also the child’s development and the stability of the family system. One of the strongest predictors of paternal depression or anxiety is the mental health status of the mother/birthing parent. As such, an inclusive, family-centered approach to perinatal mental health is critical.

This webinar explored the often-overlooked experiences of fathers and partners during the perinatal period. Participants learned how to recognize the signs and symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders in fathers/non-birthing parents, explored the barriers they face in accessing care, and reviewed practical, evidence-based strategies for engagement and intervention.

Participants of this webinar were able to

• Gain a foundational understanding of key psychosocial factors in the transition to
  fatherhood and men’s mental health during the perinatal period
• Examine how paternal involvement influences child outcomes and the broader family
  dynamic
• Identify the unique challenges and barriers fathers/partners face when seeking support
• Learn evidence-based tools and strategies to effectively engage fathers and partners
  before birth and throughout the postpartum period

This webinar is for all of those working in the perinatal period as well as children birth to 5 and their families.