AMHF Submission: Select Committee on Women's Health
When dads struggle, mums and babies feel it too. Around one in ten new and expecting fathers experiences depression or anxiety, yet three in five say no health professional asked how they were going.
AMHF's submission to the Senate Select Committee on Women's Health argues that good postpartum care for women includes the people caring alongside them. We make seven recommendations, led by three priorities:
- A routine, separate mental health check-in for fathers and non-birthing partners
- Maternity and child health services that are father-inclusive by design
- A no-cost, stepped pathway of support, from text check-ins and peer groups to one-on-one care
Each recommendation builds on existing policy and works through services women already use, without redirecting resources from mothers.
Thank you to our members whose work and evidence shaped this submission.
Read the full submission (PDF)
This submission discusses perinatal distress and infant loss. If you need support, contact PANDA on 1300 726 306, MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.