7 June 2019

Dial A Dad

Dial A Dad this Father's Day
Mental Health
2 MIN READ
Fatherhood can be challenging. With added responsibilities on top of life’s other pressures, it might feel like there’s not enough time for the serious stuff in life, let alone spending time with your mates.
 
Our new research into Fatherhood and social connections commissioned by Movember has shown that around 70% of men feel increased stress when they became a father for the first time, and many report feeling overwhelmed and stressed. It may not be surprising that men also feel pressure is increasing on them to ‘be a good dad’, yet one thing that many people may not realise is that simple acts of friendship can be a key part in countering those pressures and making sure that men thrive as fathers.
 
We already know that better social connections lead to longer, happier and healthier lives. Studies examining decades-long data have proven that, on average, having mutually supportive friendships is one of the strongest indicators for both physical and mental health, and longevity.
 
Yet our research has shown that 1 in 4 fathers feels isolated in that first 12 months, and 1 in 5 tell us they’ve lost touch with friends after becoming a dad.
 
It can happen all too easily – but there are simple steps that can fix it.
 
Father’s Day is a time to honour the father figures in our own lives, but it also gives us an opportunity to reflect on all the other dads we know: old friends, colleagues, other relatives and those in the community around us. If you stop and think the bonds of friendship with them are slackening and starting to fall away, take action to stop that now!
 
Now is the time to reach out and let them know you’re there. We encourage you to pick up the phone, make the call and fix a time to see your mate sometime soon.
 
Don’t let that friendship slide. Spending time together is good for both of you, now and for the long term. Fact.

To see the Movember special report into Fatherhood and Social Connections click here.