# Dr. Sharin Baldwin's Research Shines Light on Paternal Mental Health

> Dr. Sharin Baldwin of the University of Kent is building evidence to support fathers' mental health during the perinatal period through research, reviews, and a co-produced short film.

- Published: 2026-11-10T04:40:02.000Z
- Category: health
- Source: [Medical Xpress](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-11-paternal-mental-health-spotlight.html)
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The mental health of expecting and new fathers is often overlooked, with depression and anxiety occurring twice as frequently among them compared to global estimates for men. Dr. Sharin Baldwin, an honorary research fellow at the Centre for Health Services Studies (CHSS) and senior health visiting research lead at the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV), is building evidence to better support fathers and inform national family health policy.

**Why it matters:** At least one in 10 men experiences mental health problems during the perinatal period, yet fathers' needs are frequently overlooked. Dr. Sharin Baldwin's research aims to influence policy, practice, and education, helping healthcare professionals better recognize, understand, and respond to paternal mental health needs and improving outcomes for parents and families.

## Research and Findings on Paternal Well-being

Dr. Baldwin conducted a mixed-methods systematic review of community-based interventions designed to promote paternal mental well-being and prevent poor mental health during the perinatal period. Published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health, the review gathered international evidence on supporting fathers during the transition to parenthood. Her wider program includes 'The New Dad Study,' her Ph.D. research exploring first-time fathers' experiences of mental health and well-being during pregnancy and early parenthood.

## The 'Invisible' Film and Clinical Background

Findings from Dr. Baldwin's Ph.D. research helped inform 'Invisible,' a short film co-produced with fathers and partners to raise awareness of paternal mental health and encourage professionals to better recognize fathers' needs. The film follows a new dad named Luke, whose story is drawn from research findings and interviews with diverse fathers. Dr. Baldwin is a trained nurse, midwife, and health visitor with over 28 years of NHS experience who transitioned from front-line practice into a clinical academic research career.

## Current National Study on Home Visiting

Dr. Baldwin is currently the chief investigator for a national study jointly hosted by the University of Kent and the Institute of Health Visiting. The research evaluates the Maternal Early Childhood Sustained Home-visiting (MECSH) program for parents in England, focusing specifically on equity in access, engagement, retention, and outcomes for Black and Asian minority ethnic parents.

**Key points**

- Depression and anxiety are twice as common among expecting and new fathers as global estimates for men.
- At least one in 10 men experiences mental health problems during the perinatal period.
- Dr. Sharin Baldwin's systematic review on paternal mental wellbeing interventions was published in Frontiers in Public Health in 2026.
- Dr. Baldwin has over 28 years of NHS experience as a trained nurse, midwife, and health visitor.
- She serves as chief investigator for a national study evaluating the MECSH home visiting program in England.