The Hidden Mental Health Struggle Most Fathers Don't Talk About | Dr. Andrew Howlett
Tue Feb 03 2026
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Full episodes are available on YouTube.
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Fatherhood changes more than most men expect. Sometimes in obvious ways. Often in quiet ones.
This conversation is for fathers who are wondering how they're really doing, and for those who want to stay ahead of the parts no one prepares you for.
I'm joined by Dr. Andrew Howlett, psychiatrist, Assistant Professor in Child and Youth Mental Health at the University of Toronto, and founder of Fathers Health. For over a decade, Andrew has studied and supported fathers across different stages of parenthood, looking at how mental health, identity, and family wellbeing intersect.
We talk about what research shows about fathers' mental health, why loneliness can show up even in stable lives, and how becoming a father can shift priorities, values, and self-perception in ways men rarely name. We also explore why paying attention early matters, not because something is wrong, but because it shapes how fathers show up for their families and themselves.
Whether you're a new dad, a seasoned one, or preparing to become a father, this conversation offers perspective most men never get.
Dr. Andrew Howlett: http://www.fathersmentalhealth.com/
More episodes and reflections: https://linktr.ee/whatchangedpod
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🎥 Prefer to watch the conversation? Full episodes are available on YouTube. Subscribe to What Changed? with Dwayne Smith:https://www.youtube.com/@whatchangedpod Fatherhood changes more than most men expect. Sometimes in obvious ways. Often in quiet ones. This conversation is for fathers who are wondering how they're really doing, and for those who want to stay ahead of the parts no one prepares you for. I'm joined by Dr. Andrew Howlett, psychiatrist, Assistant Professor in Child and Youth Mental Health at the University of Toronto, and founder of Fathers Health. For over a decade, Andrew has studied and supported fathers across different stages of parenthood, looking at how mental health, identity, and family wellbeing intersect. We talk about what research shows about fathers' mental health, why loneliness can show up even in stable lives, and how becoming a father can shift priorities, values, and self-perception in ways men rarely name. We also explore why paying attention early matters, not because something is wrong, but because it shapes how fathers show up for their families and themselves. Whether you're a new dad, a seasoned one, or preparing to become a father, this conversation offers perspective most men never get. Dr. Andrew Howlett: http://www.fathersmentalhealth.com/ More episodes and reflections: https://linktr.ee/whatchangedpod