New Fathers Face Sevenfold Higher Suicide Rates UK Study

A groundbreaking study conducted by Swansea University and funded by the newly launched 1001 Critical Days Foundation has revealed a hidden crisis of suicide among new fathers in the UK, with data from Wales showing that seven times more fathers died by suicide within their baby's first 1,001 days compared to mothers. Despite specialist perinatal mental health services being available for pregnant women and new mothers, fathers are largely excluded from such care, a gap highlighted by Dame Andrea Leadsom, founder of the 1001 Critical Days Foundation. The research, which analyzed data from 2002 to 2021, found that 107 fathers versus 16 mothers died by suicide during this period, with higher rates among first-time fathers and those from more deprived areas. Experts stress that this period is critical for intervention and call for father-inclusive mental health services to address this disparity. Dame Andrea Leadsom emphasized that supporting fathers' mental health is essential to saving lives, reducing inequality, and giving every baby the best start in life. The findings serve as a wake-up call to governments worldwide to recognize and act on paternal mental health needs during early parenthood.