153: To All The Dads With Depression And Anxiety...

Read this carefully: children of fathers with mild depressive symptoms or anxiety tend to have fewer behavioral difficulties and higher IQs. Yup. We'll talk a bit about the research here, but we want to emphasize the huge benefits of acknowledging and sharing mental health struggles with those close to us. Yes, that means emotional openness is a parenting strength. That means parents and adults can model how to navigate tough emotions in such a way that builds personal growth and enhanced resilience in both themselves and the kids around them. This episode goes out to all the dads, but it's really true for all of us. 

 

Watch this episode on YouTube.

 

Key moments:

00:00 Introduction to Joy Lab Podcast
00:39 Father's Mental Health and Child Development
01:08 Study Findings and Parental Impact
02:51 Personal Reflections on Fatherhood
04:36 Modeling Emotional Resilience
06:46 Breaking the Cycle of Emotional Suppression
08:51 The Importance of Emotional Attunement
11:19 Balancing Emotional Expression
16:04 Final Thoughts and Wisdom

  

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Sources and Notes:

  

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If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at [email protected]. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.