The Critical Role of Home Visiting in Recognizing and Addressing Paternal Depression

Posted June 9, 2021

By Allison Parish

After my nearly 20 years in the home visiting field, many success stories stand out for me. One story centers on a depressed father who discovered joy in parenting. The home visitor noticed that the father rarely made eye contact and seemed completely disengaged. The mother shared that he also rarely interacted with her or their son. With his permission, the home visitor identified a counselor to provide the father with in-home therapy. After a few sessions, the father’s affect changed completely. He began participating in the home visits, playing with his son, and helping the mother with his care. Imagine the difference this made in his child’s life! Read the full blog post here.