Quick summary: Mental health experts marking Men’s Health Week are highlighting the unique psychological pressures contemporary fathers face while balancing professional demands, family duties, and changing societal expectations. Psychotherapist Noel McDermott outlines that adopting positive parenting pillars such as emotional presence, positive role modeling, and active lifestyle medicine directly counters these pressures by fostering personal growth and family connection. These insights carry vital significance for public healthcare practice and family well being, demonstrating that proactive paternal engagement serves as a biological and psychological blueprint that safeguards the mental health of both fathers and their developing children.
As Men’s Health Week takes place from 15th–21st June, mental health experts are highlighting the unique pressures fathers face in balancing work, family responsibilities, and societal expectations. Positive parenting approaches not only benefit children but can also support fathers’ own mental well-being, according to psychotherapist Noel McDermott.
Why fathers matter more than ever
Being a father today carries unique significance. Men are actively redefining what fatherhood means, creating an opportunity to choose the aspects of masculinity and parenting they value most. In many ways, fathers are ordinary men transformed into heroes in the eyes of their children, and that admiration can bring its own pressures.
Mental health challenges can also manifest differently in fathers than in mothers. While starting conversations about mental health with fathers can sometimes be difficult, doing so is vital for their well-being and for the overall health of the family.
3 pillars of positive fatherhood
Research, and the views of children themselves, point to what makes a great father. McDermott highlights three key priorities
Being present physically and emotionally
Attend your child’s activities, share time together watching films or television at home, and engage with what they are watching. Let your child help shape your time together at least once a day, and resist the urge to check your phone.
Being a positive role model
Children do not follow what their parents say nearly as much as they follow what they do. As McDermott puts it, the only choice a father has is whether to be a positive or negative role model, a child’s inner critic or inner champion.
Allowing the connection to reparent you
Fatherhood is not about being the boss but about being of service. Letting a child into your life, and allowing that relationship to encourage personal growth, is one of the most valuable aspects of parenting.
Fatherhood as a blueprint for men’s well-being
The lessons of fatherhood extend beyond the home. The psychological growth that comes with becoming a father can provide valuable foundations for wider personal development. McDermott notes that being a man today is a verb rather than a noun, a journey rather than a destination.
Research suggests that many men respond particularly well to activity-based approaches, and several practical strategies can support mental well-being
- Stay active with others. This can include not only going to the gym but also taking part in organised activities such as walking groups, community sports, or other shared pursuits.
- Practise code-switching. Adapting language and communication styles to different social and cultural settings can demonstrate flexibility, social awareness, and emotional intelligence.
- Follow the four pillars of Lifestyle Medicine. Exercise regularly, prioritise good sleep, manage stress effectively, and maintain a healthy diet.
The broader benefits of positive fathering
Studies consistently link positive father involvement to improved child mental health, stronger cognitive development, and greater emotional security, while also supporting fathers’ own well-being through stronger family connections.
McDermott sums it up: “Being a man and being a dad is a privilege, so embrace it and live every minute of it with passion and joy. Challenge toxicity when you see it. Set an example of strength and kindness. Your children are watching how you live and will often follow that example. How do you want them to be in the world? Decide, and do it first, so they can follow in your footsteps.”
This Men’s Health Week offers an opportunity for fathers to prioritise these connections, recognising that investing in positive parenting practices can deliver significant benefits for both mental well-being and family life.