A new study has raised serious concerns about a "hidden crisis" of suicide among new dads, revealing they may face significantly higher risks than new mums during the early years of parenthood.
Research from Swansea University, funded by the newly launched 1001 Critical Days Foundation, found that seven times more dads died by suicide than mums in the first 1,001 days of their child's life - a period critical to a baby's development and family wellbeing.
While specialist perinatal mental health services are available for pregnant women and new mums, dads remain largely excluded. Former health minister Dame Andrea Leadsom, who launched the charity behind the research, is calling for urgent action to close this gap.
Dame Andrea said: "This research is a wake-up call to governments around the world. Over the past 22 years in Wales, 107 dads died by suicide during this crucial period compared to 16 mums. That inequality is preventable."
The Swansea study is the first to provide UK-wide population-level data on paternal suicide during the 1,001-day window, spanning pregnancy to a child's second birthday. Researchers analysed data from 2002 to 2021 and highlighted particular risks for first-time dads and those living in deprived communities.
The research team wrote: "It is important to remember that these figures represent real lives lost. All suicides are potentially preventable."
They also said that suicide rates were higher among first-time dads as well as those from more deprived areas.
Dame Andrea is urging policymakers to ensure dads are included in perinatal mental health services. "Supporting dads' mental health can save lives, reduce inequality, and give every baby the best start in life," she said.
Speaking at the charity's launch, Dame Andrea also shared her personal experience with postnatal depression. She said: "I know how tough those early days can be, and how essential it is to support not just mums, but dads and carers too."
Despite suicide being the leading cause of maternal death, paternal suicide is not routinely measured across the UK. Wales is currently the only UK nation that records the age of a child at the time of a dad's suicide- something the foundation says must change.
The 1001 Critical Days Foundation aims to transform early-years support and has awarded a £1 million grant to Home-Start UK to roll out the Dad Matters programme nationally, providing targeted support for dads.
Lord David Blunkett, patron of the charity, praised the initiative: "This charity will champion vital research and fund frontline services to ensure babies, mums and dads receive the support they need. Investing in families from the very beginning is one of the smartest investments we can make in our future."
If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available. Contact Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.