Program to Better Support and Improve the Mental Health of New Parents

Mental health

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

According to a survey of U.S. parents in fall 2022, 85% of fathers say being a parent is one of the most important aspects of who they are as a person. Furthermore, according to the 2023 U.S Census Bureau, parental leave for new dads is up 183 percent from 2018. HOWEVER, according to a 2022 study, two-thirds of new dads still admit to feeling ‘left out’ in the early days of parenting, and that can leave a harmful lasting effect on a family dynamic. However, as very little research has been done on the experiences of dads (and Non-Birthing Parents in general), the numbers may be much higher! In short, there is a gaping hole within the parenting space of valuable resources and support for non-birthing parents (specifically: new and expectant dads), yet there is a massive need and desire.

By creating a forum to provide needed support and tools to new/expectant fathers, we can work to eliminate the broken narrative regarding "deadbeat dads" by educating men on the innumerable benefits of paternity leave and ultimately how to be actively-engaged, emotionally-evolved partners and co-parents from the moment they learn they're expecting. We can also begin to gather crucial data with regards to the experiences of new and expectant fathers that is presently sorely lacking within the parenting space with an integrated research study by leading professionals in the field. Furthermore, with in-person support groups and regular social gatherings, we can begin to address what the U.S. Surgeon General recently labeled a "loneliness epidemic" as well as the current "friendship recession" amongst men throughout this country. By welcoming fathers into the parenting conversation, we can also work to unite moms and dads in addressing serious issues that affect us ALL: from the fight for paid leave, and more perinatal mental health support for new parents, to the elimination of parental gender stereotypes. In order to build homes with a more equitable balance of responsibilities, we need to find a way forward… together.

If provided with the resources needed, LA County will become a global leader in the often-ignored paternal mental health space — specifically the perinatal mental health of new dads. Our second phase would be to build a center to house support groups and events, which could also be utilized as a work-space for ANY parent with daycare provided for young children, as well as providing in-person training seminars to educate additional support group facilitators throughout the country.

I began my journey in this space when I first became a father, and was shocked at the lack of support available to dads who seemed to be completely excluded from parenting culture. So, I launched Dad I’d Like To FRIEND — a podcast focused on providing more support to new dads that has since broken onto Apple's Top 50 Parenting Podcast charts across the globe, while hitting #6 on the US charts. But I quickly realized that based on the massive interest, we needed in-person programming to truly move the needle and find ways to unite parents in better supporting one another and themselves.
So, I formed ALL PARENTS WELCOME with a number of advisors, and produced a few in-person events as well as a LA-based support group for new dads. The response was immediate. Parents are eager for more opportunities to connect in person and build their support network, and the participating dads have been very vocal about the innumerable benefits of our 6-week pilot program.