Listen on Apple | Spotify | YouTube

This week on How Long ’Til Bedtime?, we’re continuing our recognition of Men’s Mental Health Month with an important and timely conversation about paternal postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety in fathers, and the overall mental health challenges new dads face.

Sleep and wellness coach Allison Egidi is joined by Dr. Daniel Singley, a San Diego-based clinical psychologist, board-certified in cognitive behavioral therapy, and the founder of the Center for Men’s Excellence. With over 20 years of clinical experience, Dr. Singley specializes in reproductive psychology and supporting men through the transition to fatherhood.

Following last week’s personal story with Christopher Rose, this episode offers a broader, expert-led perspective on why mental health for new fathers needs more attention—and what we can do about it.

In this episode, Dr. Singley shares:
— Why men’s mental health during the postpartum period is often overlooked
— The most common symptoms of paternal postpartum depression and anxiety (and how they differ from maternal symptoms)
— How invisibility during pregnancy and postpartum affects dads’ emotional well-being
— Risk factors that make some fathers more vulnerable to postnatal mental health struggles
— Practical ways partners, friends, and professionals can support struggling dads
— How workplace policies, paternity leave, and cultural shifts can better support mental health in fathers
— Accessible resources for dads who may be hesitant to seek therapy

Key Takeaways:
— Around 1 in 10 fathers experience postpartum depression, and even more experience postpartum anxiety—yet many remain undiagnosed and unsupported.
— Symptoms of male postpartum depression may include anger, irritability, withdrawal, substance use, or even physical symptoms like headaches and chest pain.
— When one parent is struggling, there’s a 50% chance the other is too—proving the need for a whole-family approach to perinatal mental health care.

Resources Mentioned:
Center for Men’s Excellence

Postpartum Support International – Offers support groups for fathers

Want to hear more from Allison? Provide your email address here to receive Allison’s weekly email about the podcast and other fun topics.

Enjoying How Long ‘Til Bedtime? Please consider rating and reviewing the show. This helps Allison support more parents. Click here, scroll to the bottom, rate the podcast, and select “Write a Review.” And if you’re a Spotify listener, you can now leave reviews on Spotify by clicking here. Also, if you subscribe to the show, you won’t miss any episodes!

Connect with Allison:
Instagram
Facebook
Website
YouTube

Scroll down for a full transcript of this episode. Click on any part of the text to be taken to that part of the episode to listen in or use the time markers to find that section with the player below.