For the first two years of my daughter’s life, I grappled with the strong irrational belief that our family would be better off without me. I loved her so much, but I was terrified that something bad would happen to her because of me. I felt guilty and unqualified to take on the challenges of being her mother. Despite all my years of studying and teaching Psychology, I fell into the same cycle that so many mothers often do and tried to quietly endure it alone. I kept hearing that as long as baby is healthy, nothing else matters and I internalized it to the point that my marriage and my own health became afterthoughts. It took many tears, arguments, and long emotional discussions before my husband finally convinced me that I needed professional help.

Most fathers hope that, in the event of an emergency, they can be protectors for their families. Whether it’s the threat of a natural disaster or the dangers of online interactions, dads often serve as the first line of defense for their loved ones and this can include being guardians of our well-being. Had it not been for my husband’s continuous support and intervention, I probably would not have noticed or sought help for the downward spiral of my mental health.

Here are some things dads should know about postpartum depression:

Continue reading “It’s Not Just “Baby Blues”: A Dad’s Guide To Understanding Postpartum Depression”