Men with a history of depression are 8 times more likely than their peers to have depression in the year after becoming a father, according to new research by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS). Drawing on data from Ten To Men, the world's largest longitudinal study on male health, the report explores mental health, physical health and the barriers men face in accessing care, when they become fathers for the first time.
While first-time fatherhood is a positive experience for most men, those who had pre-existing depression, obesity and insufficient sleep were likely to experience those issues after becoming a father.
Overall, first-time fathers were 29% less likely to experience moderate or severe depression in the year after becoming a father compared to men who had not become fathers.
Health outcomes such as sleep and weight were similar between fathers and non-fathers. However, men who were already experiencing obesity or insufficient sleep before becoming fathers were more likely to continue facing those issues after the birth of their child.
The research also found that younger fathers, those living in more disadvantaged areas, and those in major cities were more likely to experience new-onset depression during this period.
When it came to accessing health services, most first-time fathers turned to their GP, with 84 per cent visiting a doctor in the year after becoming a father. However, the most commonly reported barriers to care for new fathers were health system related, such as service availability and wait times.
Fatherhood can begin in many ways - through the birth of a child, adoption, step-parenting, or other ways. In this study, most participants were first-time fathers of very young children, so the health outcomes explored primarily reflect experiences during the first year of fatherhood.
Key findings
- Men with a history of mental health issues are 8 times more likely to experience depression again in the first year of fatherhood.
- First-time fathers are 29% less likely to experience moderate or severe depression in the year after their child is born compared to non-fathers.
- Younger fathers, those in more disadvantaged areas, and those in major cities are more likely to experience new-onset depression during the first year of fatherhood.
- Health outcomes like sleep and weight remain similar between fathers and non-fathers.
- Men already facing obesity or insufficient sleep before fatherhood are more likely to continue facing these issues after becoming a father.
- 84% of first-time fathers visit a GP in the year after their child is born.
- About 10% of first-time fathers do not access any health services during the first year of fatherhood.
- Over a third of new fathers face barriers to care, including long wait times, service availability, work commitments, cost, and transport issues.
Ten To Men is the largest longitudinal study on male health in the world. Funded by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the study has been tracking more than 16,000 boys and men since 2013 (with an additional 10,000 men added in 2024-25), asking them about significant issues such as gambling, drinking, drug use, family violence, social connection, and mental health.
As stated by Senior Researcher at AIFS, Dr Constantine Gasser:
"We know that a man's health and wellbeing before conception can have a significant impact on how he copes with the transition to becoming a father.
"GPs play a vital role in supporting men as they prepare for fatherhood. Early conversations - ideally before conception - can help men strengthen their health and wellbeing, setting them up for a confident and healthy transition into parenthood."
As stated by Ten to Men Program Lead, Dr Sean Martin:
"These findings suggest that more work needs to be done in providing support services and better integrating fathers into the maternal and child health system - and making those systems and services more accessible.
"This is not just a men's health issue - the wider impacts on families, children, workplaces and communities if fathers aren't mentally and physically well can be significant."
As stated by the Assistant Minister for Social Services and the Prevention of Family Violence, Ged Kearney:
"Historically, we as a society haven't supported men enough to be the best fathers they can be. This study is part of a broader effort by the Albanese Labor Government to champion men's physical and mental health, and better support dads to be the best they can be.
"If we want women's economic equality, we must support men's domestic equality. That means shining a light on fatherhood.
"My dad spent so little time at home during my early childhood that I barely recognised him when I was six years old. I'm glad the role of men in Aussie families are finally changing for the better."
As stated by Dan Repacholi, Special Envoy for Men's Health:
"We talk a lot about supporting mums and rightly so, but this research shows we can't forget about dads. Becoming a father is one of life's biggest moments, and while it's mostly positive, it can also be bloody tough on your mental health.
"The reality is, too many blokes try to tough it out on their own. This study makes it clear that getting support early, from your GP, your mates, or proper services, can make all the difference. There's no shame in putting your hand up and saying you need a bit of help.
"Fatherhood isn't just about bringing a baby home. It's about making sure dads are healthy, happy, and able to be there for their kids and their partners. When dads do well, families do well and that's good for the whole community.
"As a dad myself, I know how quickly sleep goes out the window, how life changes overnight, and how hard it can be to juggle it all. That's why the Ten to Men study is so important. It gives us the data we need to design policies that actually help Aussie blokes in the real world."
