Bachelor star Matty J backs mental health screening of new dads
Dads-to-be would be screened for perinatal distress alongside their partners under one proposal to be canvassed by a parliamentary inquiry.
A Senate inquiry into postpartum healthcare in Australia is set to examine the potential for perinatal mental health screening for new fathers. Former Bachelor star Matty J, also known as Matthew Johnson, has shared his experiences of feeling isolated and unsupported after becoming a father for the first time. Johnson, a father of three, highlighted the difficulty in finding a community of other dads and the lack of resources available to address their mental health needs.
The proposal, if adopted, would see fathers screened alongside their partners for perinatal distress or depression and receive follow-up support if necessary. Currently, only about two percent of men are screened for mental health issues during pregnancy, despite research suggesting that up to one in ten dads experience postnatal depression or anxiety.
Advocates and mental health experts argue that engaging fathers in their own perinatal care could significantly improve outcomes for both fathers and mothers, potentially reducing the risk of domestic violence within the family unit.
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