Oxford dad calls for better paternity leave to protect men's mental health
Alex Lloyd-Hunter is calling for more time off and better pay for new dads
A dad from Oxford is calling for changes to paternity leave in the UK, warning that current policies can have serious impacts on fathers' mental health.
Alex Lloyd-Hunter, co-founder of campaign group The Dad Shift, says many new dads are being forced back to work before they have had enough time to adjust to parenthood, support their partners and bond with their children.
As Men's Health Week highlights the challenges men are facing, Alex says this should be part of the conversation.
The Dad Shift is calling for longer and better-paid paternity leave, arguing that the UK currently offers the least generous entitlement in Europe.
"It's incredibly difficult for new dads and non-birthing parents," he said.
"What we hear time and time again is that fathers go back to work after two weeks or less and it's this pressure cooker situation. To their boss it's like nothing has changed, but their whole life has been turned upside down.
"They've still got the same pressures at work, they've taken on a huge financial burden because babies are expensive, and at the same time they're feeling guilty and sad that they're missing out at home."
Alex said many fathers worry about leaving their partner alone while they are still recovering from childbirth, while also struggling to balance work commitments and family life.
He says this can have a significant impact on mental wellbeing and many fathers have to take time off sick because they are too overwhelmed.
Research carried out by The Dad Shift and the charity Movember for Men's Mental Health Week last year found around 45% of fathers experienced at least two symptoms associated with postnatal depression, which Alex says is often overlooked.
"Postnatal depression is not something that only affects mothers, which a lot of people don't know," he said.
"There needs to be more awareness of some of the mental health problems that can affect fathers and non-birthing parents after a child is born."
The campaign group is calling on the Government to introduce a minimum of six weeks' paternity leave, compared with the current entitlement of two, paid at 90% of earnings.
Alex believes giving fathers more time at home would make a significant difference to their wellbeing.
"About 80% of fathers told us the number one thing the Government could have done to help was giving them longer, better-paid paternity leave.
"It would give people time to get their head straight, get used to being a dad and take some of the financial pressure off so they're ready to go back to work."
The Government is carrying out a review of parental leave arrangements until the end of the year, which campaigners hope could lead to significant reforms.