NEI Podcast E263 - Men’s Mental Health and the Transition to Fatherhood with Dr. Dan Singley
Sep 10, 2025
Dr. Dan Singley, a clinical psychologist and founder of the Center for Men’s Excellence, dives into the unique mental health challenges men face, especially as new fathers. He discusses the influence of traditional masculinity on help-seeking behaviors and highlights the often-overlooked issue of paternal perinatal depression. The conversation emphasizes the importance of emotional expression, healthy communication, and social connections for men, advocating for a shift in societal expectations to foster better mental health and well-being during the fatherhood transition.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Men's Preventive Health Gap
- Men engage far less in preventive health and die 5–6 years earlier than women in the U.S. according to Dan Singley.
- This pattern frames men's unique health risks and limited touchpoints with healthcare.
Precarious Manhood Shapes Behavior
- Precarious manhood describes masculinity as performative and always at risk of being lost.
- That dynamic strongly limits men’s help-seeking and shapes how they show up when distressed.
Masked Male Depression Patterns
- Men often show 'masked' depression as anger, somatic complaints, isolation, or risky dopamine-seeking behaviors.
- These presentations hide underlying depressive symptoms and reduce typical detection.