Australia Begins Work on First Preconception Paternal Mental Health Guidelines
A major national effort is underway to strengthen the health and wellbeing of men and boys before they become fathers, with Deakin University—working in partnership with Healthy Male—developing Australia’s first Preconception Paternal Mental Healthcare Guidelines.
These guidelines will address a critical but often overlooked window: the years before fatherhood and the time between having children.
Research increasingly shows that men’s mental health during these stages shapes not only their own wellbeing, but also family relationships, early childhood development and long-term outcomes for their children. Despite this, support for men in the lead-up to parenthood has historically been minimal.
To change that, the project team is calling on professionals and the general public to help shape the guidelines.
Professionals can provide input on the barriers men face, gaps in current services, and what effective support looks like in their field.
Members of the general public—particularly fathers and future fathers—are invited to help shape national paternal mental healthcare. The project teams want to hear from men, partners, parents and supporters about what would have helped during the journey toward fatherhood. This feedback will help make the guidelines meaningful, relatable and genuinely helpful for the people they’re designed to support.
Participants who will go into a draw to win one of ten $75 Coles gift vouchers.
Survey opens: 3 December 2025
Survey closes: 27 January 2026
Have Your Say: https://healthymale.org.au/paternal-mental-health-guidelines-survey