New dads mental health advice

6. Be aware of your mood

Most new dads feel low at some point, but if these feelings linger and last for a long period, it could be a sign of depression.

“Some anxieties are natural, for example, how you’ll be as a dad or logistical changes like paternity leave,” explains Raoul. “What’s important is to recognise when the worry continues for too long, or when it becomes debilitating. For example, you might experience physical affects like panic attacks or not be able to return to a regular, calm state. You might notice that your eating habits change so you’re eating more or less than you usually do, or that your sleeping patterns change.”

Depression is a different experience for everyone.

So, it’s really important to keep a close check on yourself and look out for anything that’s unusual for you.

“Things like feeling withdrawn socially, if you’re not taking pleasure from activities you used to love or lacking the desire to do them at all, or if you’re feeling worried about the things you weren’t worried about before,” says Raoul.

Check out the NHS guide to low mood, sadness and depression.