Father’s Day: NGO Urges Focus On Men’s Mental Health

Amid concerns that fathers face significant and specific challenges which can affect their mental health, a non-profit and non-governmental organisation in Nigeria , A Mother’s Love Initiative (AMLi) has advised fathers not to shy away from seeking mental health care when necessary.

The NGO with the aim to safeguard the well-being and future of African children by employing research, advocacy, and psychosocial interventions in a statement issued to mark this year’s Father’s Day with the theme “The Father, His Mindset, His Wellbeing”  signed by AMLi’s Founder, Executive Director, Barrister Hanatu A. Enwemadu, stressed the importance of the role of  fathers in the family and the society.

 She pointed out that fatherhood is a lifelong responsibility which requires a whole lot as a father gives  his very all.

“As we celebrate Father’s Day in 2023 with the theme:’ The Father, His Mindset, His Wellbeing,’ it is important we bring to mind the need for everyone to seriously take into consideration the mental and general well-being of the men around us,’’ Enwemadu said.

Sje said, “According to research fathers need mental health support for their own wellbeing and that of their partners and children. Becoming a father is an extremely important life event for a man. Fathers can experience new emotions, feelings, and changes initiated by the transition into parenthood.

‘’Research shows that around 10 per cent of new fathers experience depression, and yet there is still little understanding about this let alone appropriate support. Fathers’ mental health matters for many reasons; we need to understand more about how we can help fathers. If we help fathers, we help mothers. 

If we help them both, we also help their children”.

Explaining that AMLi carries out advocacy against admitting under-aged children into schools and by extension against the Hurried Child Syndrome,  Enwemadu harped on the need to focus on the mindset and well-being of fathers and men.

She noted that recent research has shown that when fathers’ mental health declines, so does the quality of their co-parenting relationships.

“Families with fathers who struggle with mental health issues, particularly during early childhood, tend to have children with more difficulties managing their emotions and behaviours. In other words: Fathers affect the quality and stability of the family.

‘’It is essential for us to encourage fathers, and all men, to seek mental health care when they are struggling.’’

Father’s Day is celebrated globally on the  third Sunday in June every year to honour fathers and father figures,  appreciating them for their role and their sacrifices for the family. This year’s observance will be observed tomorrow, June 18th 2023