Concerned dads are reaching out more to helplines for their depressed partners

DADS who are worried that their partners are not coping with motherhood are increasingly seeking support for them.

Tammy Marsland with third son, Joel

DADS who are worried that their partners are not coping with motherhood are increasingly seeking support for them.

That is evident from the number of calls to a postnatal depression helpline which has more than doubled in the past two years.

Calls to the Post and Antenatal Depression Association's national helpline rose from 898 in 2009-2010 to 2189 in 2011-2012.

Counsellors also made a further 8138 follow-up support calls. Seven per cent of total calls during this period - 774 - were made to or by concerned dads.

Association spokeswoman Lisa Knott said "increasingly it is partners who are able to identify when a new parent is struggling".

Figures released this week show 1800 Australians are diagnosed with post and antenatal depression each week.

Beyond Blue's perinatal adviser Dr Nicole Highet said men were leading the way in differentiating between baby blues and depression.

"Baby blues tend to pass after 10 days but depression can occur one month to 12 months after a child is born," Dr Highet  said.

For Ingle Farm mum Tammy Marsland, seeing a psychologist helped her recover after the birth of second son Zakary 10 years ago.

When Ms Marsland had her third son Joel six months ago, she said, "lots of people made sure I was OK."

>> Post and Antenatal Depression Association helpline: 1300 726 306