This New Study Shows Why Supporting All New Parents Needs To Be A Priority

When society talks about having babies, they present it as the happiest time of your life. For many parents, it is a positive occasion, but that expectation of only being happy can make it difficult for parents to open up about their mental health — including men. A new study highlights that dads also suffer from postpartum depression and shows why supporting all parents needs to be a priority. Transitioning into parenthood isn't always easy and that's OK, but people need to feel comfortable and supported when receiving help.

Postpartum depression is not the same as the "baby blues". The baby blues are temporary dips in mood that lots of people experience, because they just tend to come along with all the changes of having a new baby around. Postpartum depression is a more severe, long-lasting condition — it's a form of depression. Where the Mayo Clinic noted baby blues may last up to two weeks, postpartum depression can last months.

Too many people don't realize that men can also experience depression after a new baby is born. When it comes to men, it can be referred to as Paternal Postnatal Depression (PPND) or Paternal Postpartum Depression (PPPD).

Nearly one in 20 new fathers experienced depression following the birth of their child, according to a study published in JAMA Psychiatry, and researchers decided to explore the impact this can have on their kids.

For the study, researchers used information of more than 3,000 families in Bristol, UK collected from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children - an ongoing cohort study launched in 1991, as noted by the study's abstract. Researchers found that there seems to be a connection between postpartum depression in dads and depression in their daughters later in life, as reported by EurekAlert!.

Professor Ramchandani, who co-authored the study, said, according to Eurek!Alert:

What is new in this paper is that we were able to follow up the young people from birth through to the age of 18, when they were interviewed about their own experience of depression. Those young people whose fathers had been depressed back when they were born had an increased risk of depression at age 18 years.

This link was not found in sons, however, only daughters. Researchers don't know why post-natal depression in fathers only has an influence on their daughters, but they proposed a few theories. According to MedicalXpress, one reason could be that PPPD in dads can sometimes go along with maternal depression. If one or both parents is experiencing depression following a child's birth, it might affect how they interact with their new baby.

In addition, researchers think there might be some connections to parts of father-daughter relationships as daughters grow older and reach adolescence, according to MedicalXpress.

Although more studies need to be done to fully understand the link between post-natal depression in men and their daughter's depression in adolescence, this study still highlights that men experience, and need help with, depression, too.

Men can commonly express their depression through anger, aggressiveness, irritability, and anxiety, as San Diego-based psychology David Singley told PsyCom, adding, "They are also susceptible to other manifestations such as increased use of substances (drinking, drugs), addictive behaviors such as gambling or video games as well as physical manifestations like headaches and stomach problems."

Knowing how mental health issues may express themselves differently in people is important so that people can identify possible signs. Mental health isn't always easy to talk about, but this study shows how important it is for both parents to be supported.

If you or someone you know is experiencing postpartum depression or anxiety, contact the Postpartum Health Alliance warmline at (888) 724-7240, or Postpartum Support International at (800) 944-4773. If you are thinking of harming yourself or your baby, get help right away by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or dialing 911. For more resources, you can visit Postpartum Support International.

After a very frustrating first birth experience, this Deaf mother wanted a change. Will the help of two Deaf doulas give the quality communication and birth experience this mom wants and deserves? Watch Episode Four of Romper's Doula Diaries, Season Two, below, and visit Bustle Digital Group's YouTube page for more episodes.