First 1001 Days Movement – Submission to the Men’s Health Strategy

The First 1001 Days Movement has responded to the Government’s Men’s Health Strategy consultation, calling for fatherhood to be recognised as a key area within the strategy.

Our submission highlights that the perinatal period is a known window of vulnerability for men, with around 1 in 10 new fathers experiencing postnatal depression and many more affected by anxiety and stress. Despite this, fathers remain largely overlooked in health policy and services.

Our submission calls for:

• NHS health checks for all new fathers
• Access to specialist perinatal mental health support
• Linked health records for fathers and children
• Parent-infant relationship support for all families

Supporting fathers’ wellbeing, our submission notes, benefits babies, mothers, and wider society. The consultation represents a vital opportunity to ensure men are supported not only as workers, but as parents and caregivers whose health and involvement matter.

Read our full submission here.