New film spotlights health visitor role in supporting fathers’ mental health

A new film has been released to highlight how health visitors can support fathers with poor mental health following the birth of their children.

The film, from the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV), will be used in future training to encourage health visitors to consider fathers’ mental wellbeing when visiting families after childbirth.

‘Invisible’ was exclusively launched at Curzon Victoria at event attended by Nursing in Practice to mark International Father’s Mental Health Day yesterday.

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It leans on the real-life experiences of fathers who have experienced poor mental health around the birth of their child or children.

The film builds on significant evidence showing that father’s mental health has major impact on their babies’ health and development, as well as the health of partners during and after pregnancy.

Dr Sharin Baldwin, the film’s executive producer and senior health visitor research lead at the iHV, said: ‘With this film, we want to raise awareness of a public health issue that’s often overlooked, and highlight the vital role that health visitors can play in supporting men’s mental health during the perinatal period, something that can make a real difference to the whole family.’

At least 10% of men are thought to have poor mental health around the time of birth and suicide remains the leading cause of death in men under 50, according to NHS England.

Other studies have also found that many new fathers feel excluded by post-natal services, with many men feeling ignored and reluctant to ask for help.

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iHV partnered with Inner Eye Productions to make the film, using funding from The Burdett Trust for Nursing.

Chris Godwin, owner and creative director at Inner Eye Productions, said he hopes the film will ‘engender curiosity’ among health visitors.

‘I also wanted this film to be celebration of how brilliant health visitors are,’ he added.

‘I really hope this film raises awareness of the psychological reality for fathers and gives clarity on the systems and processes that can see them being left out.’

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Nurses recently discussed how more needed to be done to better champion men’s mental health and flag support services, during Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Congress last month.

In April, the government launched a call for nurse evidence for its first-of-its-kind Men’s Health Strategy.