UCLan researchers hope to inform future practice based on research findings
Researchers from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) are calling for fathers and other non-birth parents to contribute to a study assessing mental health support.
Via a short, online, anonymous survey the team from UCLan’s School of Community Health and Midwifery want to explore the mental health needs of fathers and non-gestational parents and what support, if any, they were offered when they became parents.
The survey is open to people aged 16 years and over who have become a parent over the last five years.
Health and social care lecturer Claire Cockerill is leading the project.
"... but the mental health needs of new fathers and non-gestational parents from the LGBTQ+ community are often over-looked. "
— UCLan health and social care lecturer Claire Cockerill
She said: “Awareness of perinatal mental illness affecting women after they’ve given birth is thankfully much higher than it used to be but the mental health needs of new fathers and non-gestational parents from the LGBTQ+ community are often over-looked.
“Perinatal mental illness in either parent contributes to adverse child and family outcomes so it’s essential that we look after both parents. Research estimates that between 24-50% of men experience postpartum depression in the 12 months after birth and a further problem is that fathers are less likely to ask for support with depression symptoms.
“In addition, there is little research addressing other partners and co-parents so currently little is known about wider partners mental health needs.
"[The survey] takes 20 minutes to complete and the findings will be used in a report that can inform practice in the future."
— UCLan health and social care lecturer Claire Cockerill
“Through this survey we want to find out from people directly what their experiences were and how they can be better supported. It only takes 20 minutes to complete and the findings will be used in a report that can inform practice in the future.”
People can access the survey online.
Claire Cockerill is available for more information via email.