New fathers in NSW will be offered health and mental health checks under a $1 million pilot program, as the state government partners with men’s health charity Movember to support new and expecting dads.
The funding will allow NSW Health to partner with Movember to pilot health and wellbeing checks focused on the father’s health, including his mental health.
The checks will provide an opportunity to discuss overall mental wellbeing, identify any support needs, and connect fathers with relevant services, information and resources.
Depression affects one in ten dads between the first trimester and the year after their baby’s birth, while anxiety conditions affect one in six dads during pregnancy and one in five in the postnatal period.
Men involved in the pilot will receive a resource pack with advice on available community resources, including how to seek mental health support.
NSW Health already delivers universal psychosocial screening for new mothers through its Safe Start program, to identify mental health and psychosocial risks early in the perinatal period.
Minister for Health Ryan Park said becoming a dad was an incredible, life-changing experience, but it could also be challenging.
“It’s not always easy for men to put their hand up and say they need help, and this pilot program aims to make that a little easier,” Mr Park said.
“These early checks will mean that we can deliver extra support for dads who need it, sooner.
“We want to support dads to be the best version of themselves, not just for them but also for their families.”
Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson said the arrival of a new baby changed everything, and could be scary, overwhelming or difficult for a number of reasons.
“Looking after dads’ mental health isn’t just good for fathers, it’s good for the whole family,” Ms Jackson said.
“This pilot will connect with dads at a critical moment to ensure they know what supports are available should they need them.”
The pilot builds on the Minns Labor Government’s $112.3 million mental health boost in the 2025-26 Budget, which includes $43.3 million over four years for Lifeline’s 13 11 14 crisis line and text and webchat services, and $64.8 million to extend services under the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement.
Movember Director of Policy and Advocacy Jeremy Phillips-Yelland, a new dad himself, said fatherhood brought great joy but also more stress, less sleep and newfound isolation.
“Building a routine health and wellbeing check for new and expecting dads, into the perinatal care pathway, is a simple and practical step that could make a meaningful difference for families,” Mr Phillips-Yelland said.
Further information on mental health support for new or expecting parents is available on the NSW Health website.
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