--- title: "Just In: Use the Super Power of Fatherhood Groups to Address Mental Health" description: Learn how group-based fatherhood programs are undoubtedly helping dads address the issue of mental health. image: https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/Images/Blog/NFI_Blog_mental-health-first-aid.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/use-the-super-power-of-fatherhood-groups-to-address-mental-health#main) - [![NFI mark](https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI%20mark.svg)FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://www.fatherhood.org/) - [STORE.FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://store.fatherhood.org/) [![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=149&height=82&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=65&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=66&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=89&height=49&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ](https://www.fatherhood.org) - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Show submenu for Get Informed Get Informed - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - [Father Stats & Infographics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) - Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Find Your Stage of Father Inclusion](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-inclusion) - [How Father Friendly Is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Fatherhood Data & Statistics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - [How Father Friendly is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Other Free Resources](https://www.fatherhood.org/nfi-free-resources) - [Talk With us to Get Started](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) National Fatherhood Initiative Blog / [Latest Articles](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood) [men's health](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/topic/mens-health) # Just In: Use the Super Power of Fatherhood Groups to Address Mental Health 2 min read ![Christopher A. Brown](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/chris_circle_icon.png?width=100&height=100&name=chris_circle_icon.png) [** Christopher A. Brown ** ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/author/christopher-a-brown) Chris serves as the President of National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI), where he is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of NFI's strategic plan and business model, as well as its operations and fundraising efforts. ![NFI_Blog_mental-health-first-aid](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Blog/NFI_Blog_mental-health-first-aid.jpg?width=453&height=305&name=NFI_Blog_mental-health-first-aid.jpg) If you run a group-based fatherhood program, take note that you’re undoubtedly helping dads address an issue that’s gaining more attention—and it’s about time. What’s the issue? Men’s [mental health](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6560805/). As someone who struggles with anxiety, I applaud the work of practitioners like you who bring dads together for growth in their fatherhood journey.[*](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/use-the-super-power-of-fatherhood-groups-to-address-mental-health#note-1) That’s because fatherhood groups—no matter the topics they focus on—by their nature help dads reduce anxiety and depression and recover from addiction. How? By creating social connections that help address a [“friendship recession”](https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/23323556/men-friendship-loneliness-isolation-masculinity) among men, a term used to describe increasing loneliness among men that leads to isolation. Fatherhood groups create a “tribe” of men who bond for the common purpose of growing as dads and men. **This tribe becomes a positive, generative part of dads’ identities that breaks the shackles of loneliness and isolation and opens the door to connecting with their children, partners, and communities.** Fatherhood groups [create the friendships](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/the-power-of-friendship-in-fatherhood) that the [longest-running study](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/feb/06/how-to-have-a-happy-life-according-to-the-worlds-leading-expert?utm_campaign=daily-global-12-04-2023&utm_source=email&utm_medium=Daily%20Global%20Edition%20Users&utm_content=Final&utm_term=Daily%20Global%20Edition%20Users) on what makes men happy says are key to a good life. Johann Hari is a leading authority on the power of social connection in addressing anxiety, depression, and addiction. I learned recently about his work in [this podcast](https://33voices.com/interviews/why-you-cant-focus/). **I was struck by the logic of his argument that we focus too much on medicalizing mental health challenges while ignoring their social causes.** Hari doesn’t discount the biological bases that affect susceptibility to mental health issues or the role medication can play in addressing them. He emphasizes that those bases paint an incomplete picture without acknowledging the role played by social disconnection. When we focus too much on the biology of mental health issues, we look at them as “malfunctions” with pharmacological solutions rather than as “signals” with something to hear and heed about social environments that have become more and more isolating. After listening to the podcast, I searched for more about what Hari says about the effects of social environments on mental health. I found his Tedx talks on [anxiety and depression](https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_this_could_be_why_you_re_depressed_or_anxious) (20 minutes) and [addiction](https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_everything_you_think_you_know_about_addiction_is_wrong/comments) (14 minutes) helpful. I encourage you to watch them and show them to the dads you serve. Hari does a fantastic job summarizing the research on the impact of social environments. Dads will enjoy the humor he uses. I also encourage you to look for other resources on men’s mental health to integrate into your work with dads. When fatherhood groups address mental health specifically, dads benefit even more from them. (That’s why the evidence-based and evidence-informed [fatherhood programs](https://store.fatherhood.org/programs/) of [National Fatherhood Initiative](https://www.fatherhood.org/)® cover the importance of dads caring for their mental health.) When you integrate these resources, you create a social norm that gives dads the freedom to examine their mental health, thus reducing the stigma associated with that help-seeking behavior. Did you know that men are [much less likely](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/men-and-mental-health) than women to seek support for their mental health? Are you looking for more resources on mental health to integrate into your work with dads? If so, check out [Mental Health America](https://mhanational.org/) and the [National Alliance on Mental Illness](https://www.nami.org/home?gclid=CjwKCAjw__ihBhADEiwAXEazJn5fN_enrVab849Q87reDcfEukeIQ3IT2iMW-pOQ_jtt-cS2tLFN_BoCXJ4QAvD_BwE), two trustworthy sources. Their websites have a lot of content and resources that will help you and the dads you serve learn about mental health. Would you like more NFI resources on mental health specifically tailored for dads? If so, I have good news. We’re developing more resources on dads’ mental health that we’ll release in the coming months. Subscribe to our [free eNews](https://www.fatherhood.org/getting-started) to be among the first to know about those and other new resources, and updates to existing resources. * I’ve struggled with anxiety since childhood. At times, it’s been debilitating. Fortunately, I found team sports and other group-based activities with other boys helpful. In my adult years, I’ve found the following tools helpful: men’s groups, exercise (cross-training), nutritional supplements, meditation, and practicing gratitude. The key to realizing the full potential of these tools has been in my intentional, disciplined application of them. [![he Benefits of Fatherhood Programs in Community-Based Organizations](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/135704/bbfbc796-8f3f-495b-a089-976b4f177f1f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/135704/bbfbc796-8f3f-495b-a089-976b4f177f1f) Date Published: 04/25/2023 Last Updated: 11/22/2024 ## Learn How to Build a Fatherhood Program That Works Download this free guide for a proven 7-step roadmap—from making the case and securing funding for your program, to launching and measuring real results! [Get The Guide Now!](https://www.fatherhood.org/starting-a-fatherhood-program) ![7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program.png?width=700&height=700&name=7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program.png) [ Previous ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/why-you-need-to-add-structure-to-your-passion-for-serving-dads) [ Next ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/architects-of-father-policies-and-programs-discuss-how-it-is-done) ## Related Articles ### [[New Resource] Three Steps to Help Dads Care for Their Mental Health Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock lately, you know there’s an increasing emphasis on helping dads in a vital area of self-care: taking care of their mental health. Caring for ... Read More](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/new-resource-three-steps-to-help-dads-care-for-their-mental-health) ### [The Power of Friendship in Fatherhood In National Fatherhood Initiative®’s (NFI’s) 24:7 Dad® and InsideOut Dad® programs, there are sessions on men’s health that encourage dads to take care of themselves so they can ... Read More](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/the-power-of-friendship-in-fatherhood) ### Explore Topics [NFI-Specific Programs & Resources](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/topic/nfi-specific-programs-resources) [Tips & Tricks](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/topic/tips-tricks) [General Fatherhood Program Resources](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/topic/general-fatherhood-program-resources) [General Fatherhood Research & Studies](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/topic/general-fatherhood-research-studies) [Success Stories](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/topic/success-stories) [NFI News & Updates](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/topic/nfi-news-updates) [Program Recruitment & Retention](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/topic/program-recruitment-retention) [Research on NFI Programs & Resources](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/topic/research-on-nfi-programs-resources) [Fundraising](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/topic/fundraising) [All Posts](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/all) ### Subscribe to Championing Fatherhood ![Laptop with NFI store website opened](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/Laptop%20with%20NFI%20store%20website%20opened.png?width=279&height=167&name=Laptop%20with%20NFI%20store%20website%20opened.png) ### Get the Father Engagement Resources You Need [ Visit Online Store ](https://cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/click?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKw4WaOo8902iPmpW%2ByUsyBSKuq3qkzqNyXpzwPOccE0AXP2KES9oXgU9nIB8fuwW%2BqIn%2Fks1zUl4Xat3EfgSWc9L3SpStWlNlgOYxw5gMRlbHlSTv5NllcFgvU6lYkSZwB5VyC1gksPebRm5z%2FxU8k1Flp%2FIqV%2FKhmFjDSTcs%3D&portalId=135704) [![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1 (1)](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201%20(1).png?width=148&height=88&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201%20(1).png) ](https://www.fatherhood.org) [![Facebook](https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/Facebook.svg) ](https://www.facebook.com/nationalfatherhoodinitiative/) [![LinkedIn](https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/LinkedIn.svg) ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-fatherhood-initiative) [![candid-seal-platinum-main](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/email/candid-seal-platinum-main.png?width=100&height=100&name=candid-seal-platinum-main.png) ](https://www.fatherhood.org) About - [Our Mission](https://www.fatherhood.org/our-mission) - [Our Impact](https://www.fatherhood.org/our-impact) - [Our History](https://www.fatherhood.org/history) - [Our Board & Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/leadership) - [Contact Us](https://www.fatherhood.org/contact-us) Train Your Staff - [Program Facilitator Training](https://www.fatherhoodpractitioners.org/collections/core-programs) - [Earn Your Certificates](https://www.fatherhoodpractitioners.org/collections/certificates) - [Live Group Training](https://www.fatherhood.org/training-institute) Fatherhood Programs - [24:7 Dad®](https://store.fatherhood.org/shop-by-program/24-7-dad/) - [ProFathering15™](https://store.fatherhood.org/profathering15) - [24:7 Dad Key Behaviors™ Workshop](https://store.fatherhood.org/247-dad-key-behaviors-workshop-facilitators-kit/) - [InsideOut Dad®](https://store.fatherhood.org/insideout-dad-facilitators-kit/) - [Understanding Dad™](https://store.fatherhood.org/understanding-dad-facilitators-kit/) - [Co-Parenting Program Bundle](https://store.fatherhood.org/co-parenting-group-based-facilitators-bundle/) Fatherhood Data - [Free Data & Infographics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - [Father Facts™ 9 Publication](https://store.fatherhood.org/father-facts-ninth-edition/) - [Father Facts Poster Sets](https://store.fatherhood.org/posters) - [Father Involvement Brochures](https://store.fatherhood.org/brochures) Free Resources - [Father Friendly Check-Up™](https://www.fatherhood.org/ffcu) - [Fatherhood Program Selection Tool](https://www.fatherhood.org/program-selector) - [Championing Fatherhood Blog](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood) - [Help Center](https://help.fatherhood.org/) - [**FatherSource™ Store**](https://store.fatherhood.org/) --- © 2026 National Fatherhood Initiative®. All rights reserved. - [FAQs](https://www.fatherhood.org/faq) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.fatherhood.org/privacy-policy) - [Terms of Service](https://www.fatherhood.org/terms-of-service) - [Cookies Settings](https://www.fatherhood.org/privacy-policy)