Concern over ‘hidden crisis’ of suicide among new fathers

CONCERNS have been raised about the “hidden crisis” of suicide among new fathers after a review suggested they could potentially be at a higher risk than new mothers.

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Welsh research found seven times as many fathers died by suicide in their baby's first 1,001 days compared with mothers.

Specialist mental health services are available for pregnant women and new mothers around the time of childbirth.

But former health minister Dame Andrea Leadsom is warning that fathers are excluded from this care.

She said the new findings should be a “wake-up call" for action.

It comes as Dame Andrea launches a new charity, the 1001 Critical Days Foundation, which aims to give babies the best start in life from the time of conception until a child's second birthday.

The charity funded the new study by academics at Swansea University on paternal suicide - providing the first UK population-level rate for paternal suicide in the 1,001 days.