5 signs of mental health distress to look out for in new parents

Key takeaways

• Being aware of the signs of mental health distress can help you support your employee and connect them with appropriate supports. 

• Parents returning to work after parental leave can encounter a whole range of mental and emotional challenges. 

• Early intervention can reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.  

Most good managers, business owners or leaders know that the secret to retention, high productivity and reduced absenteeism is supporting your employees. That can look different for everyone. For new parents, many are experiencing stressors, and on the Parent Well we’ve talked a lot about how you can help reduce those stressors.  

What you may need to continue being mindful of, is when those signs of stress turn into ‘distress’. And while we’d like to remind you that you’re not there to be a counsellor, being aware of these signs can help you best support your employee, and direct them to the appropriate supports when they need it most.  

What you should be aware of 

Fifty per cent of all parents returning to work after parental leave report significant fatigue, with a study of fathers of newborns indicating that fathers are 36 per cent more likely to have a near-miss at work and 26 per cent more likely to have a near-miss on the road due to fatigue.  On average, each new parent loses a staggering 109 minutes of sleep every night for the first year after having a baby 

Postnatal depression and anxiety is also common, with about one in five new mums and one in 10 new dads experiencing these conditions.  

Sadly, 74 per cent of parents do not seek help until they reach crisis point. Early invention reduces the severity and duration of symptoms and many parents wish they'd admitted they weren't coping or got help earlier.  

You can help support the mums and dads in your business by being mindful of the signs and symptoms of poor mental health at work, and being aware of the supports in place for your employees.  

5 signs of mental health distress at work in mothers  

1. Over or under-productivity. 
   This could look like working long hours or taking on an excessive workload. It could also present as missing deadlines or performance issues.  

2. Changed or ‘flat’ personality. 
   Look out for changes in demeanor. Is your employee seeming less chatty than usual? Maybe they’re being more negative than usual. Any change in the norm can be reason for concern. 

3. Loss of motivation. 
   Are you getting ‘I can’t be bothered’ vibes from your employee? Maybe it’s about work, or maybe it’s not getting up for the usual 10am tea break. If you’re noticing a loss of motivation, it might be time to reach out.  

4. Difficulty making decisions. 
   This doesn’t need to be big decisions (though it can be). This could be as simple as having serious trouble deciding what to eat at lunch. If you’re noticing this happens often, it could be a sign of distress.  

5. Inability to concentrate (this can also result from lack of sleep). 
   It’s worth noting that mothers can be tired, and that in itself can have impacts on their ability to concentrate. But if that inability to focus persists, it might be a good time to check in.  

5 signs of mental health distress at work in fathers  

1. Irritability, anxiety, and anger. 
   This could look like over reacting to situations, verbal outbursts or even unwarranted negativity. If you’re noticing a pattern, it can be good to reach out.  

2. Reduced work output. 
   If you’re seeing a consistent dip in output from your usually productive employee it could be a sign they’re experiencing mental health distress. You might want to start a conversation with “I’ve noticed you don’t seem yourself …". 

3. Feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope. 
   Are you noticing that stress levels are high? Maybe you’re feeling like you can’t ask your employee to deliver on something because they appear to be overworked. If the workload is reasonable and you’re noticing consistent overwhelm it could be a sign they’re experiencing distress.  

4. A tendency to take risks. 
   First, some people are more risk averse than others. In this situation, you’re looking for an increased tendency to take risks. Are you frequently seeing safety concerns, or is your employee engaging in risky behaviours? If this is out of the norm it’s time to reach out.  

5. Increasing hours at work (withdrawal from the family). 
   Are you noticing dad logging extra time at work, or avoiding going home? They be struggling under their responsibilities, and might need a timely check-in.  

Mental health distress can present itself in many forms, and the list above is not exhaustive. To read more about additional signs of mental health distress in parents and how you can support them, download our factsheet

What to do if you think your employee is experiencing mental health distress  

First, your role here isn’t to be a best friend or a counsellor. If you’re noticing your employee is experiencing signs of mental health distress, it’s important they get the support they need.  

Remind your employees of the Parent Well, including the confidential self-screening tools, the free COPE resources available, and where to find professional help if needed.  

If you have an employee assistance program, now is a good time to remind them of this – don't forget to highlight that it’s confidential and free to alleviate any concerns they may have.   

Finally, make sure you give your employee the time they need. Perinatal mental health conditions may need the same accommodations as other medical conditions, such as time off, role or workload changes or more flexibility.  

Following on from the importance of understanding the signs of perinatal distress in your employees, we'll look at if your plans and policies support the career development of new parents (and why it's important).