The Overlooked Importance of Fathers: Mia Talks Mental Health and Parenting on the Easy Conversations Podcast

In this episode of the EZ Conversations Podcast, Mia, a psychologist focused on mental health in young children, shares her insights on the importance of fathers in child development. The discussion delves into Mia’s research on the consequences of insecure attachment and cumulative risk factors on children’s mental health. Mia highlights fathers’ often-overlooked mental health needs.

Mia introduces the Fatherli app, designed as a safe space for fathers to discuss parenting and wellbeing, share resources, and access Coaching services. The discussion further explores societal challenges men face in seeking mental health help, the impact of modern life pressures, and the importance of communication and support structures both in families and workplaces. Mia emphasizes the need for community and connection, noting the positive changes seen through the Fatherli platform.

Dr. Mia is a dedicated psychologist, researcher, coach, and female entrepreneur recognized for developing the Fatherli app. She is passionate about supporting positive mental health for children and families. Aware of modern life’s challenges—balancing parenting, work, health, and social commitments—Mia strives to help families lead fulfilling lives without succumbing to burnout or stress. Through Fatherli, the app and community have focused on supporting new dads in the first year and dads navigating separation and divorce. 

Mia holds a PhD in child and adolescent mental health and has trained in coaching, reflective parenting, and dialogue methods. She studied at the Evidence-Based Practice Unit, a partnership between the Anna Freud Centre and UCL Brain Sciences in London. Over the past decade, her research, mainly through the Head Start programme, has focused on enhancing child and family mental health and reducing the risk of mental health disorders in children and teenagers.

Mia has published research articles on adolescent wellbeing and resilience, coping strategies, and digital apps. She is also an established blogger, contributing insightful topics on burnout, men’s mental health, and brain neuroscience. Additionally, Mia is a tutor for the Child and Adolescent Neuroscience in Practice Postgraduate program at UCL.

With a gentle approach, Mia offers coaching informed by psychological principles and coaching frameworks. Her goal is to empower and connect parents to overcome loneliness, get more out of life and set their children up for life. 

Please check out the Fatherli app or find Dr. Mia on Instagram @mia_psychologyandwellbeing

Timestamps:

04:05 Introduction and Welcome

04:34 Guest Background and Research Focus

05:07 Challenges Faced by Children and Families

07:06 Importance of Fathers’ Mental Health

12:38 Fatherly App and Support for Dads

17:27 Mental Health in Organizations

33:20 Toxic Work Environments

33:45 Challenges of Single Parenting

35:17 Mental Health and Parenting

37:56 Balancing Responsibilities

46:02 Perfectionism and Shame

52:47 Fatherly Community and Support

58:56 Conclusion and Contact Information

Sponsors of the Podcast:

• BetterHelp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://betterhelp.com/ez10⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 10% off your first month of Therapy
• WeShape: https://weshape.postaffiliatepro.com/scripts/dcfogwyuk?a_aid=FurkhanDandia&a_bid=d7508fa8 for 35% all plans.
• Aura: https://aura.com/ez10 for a free two-week trial
• Plunge: https://plunge.com/ez
• Mint Mobile: ⁠https://trymintmobile.com/ez10⁠ for 15$ for an unlimited cell phone plan
• Mental: ⁠https://getmental/ez

Subscribe to the EZ Reflections Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ez-reflections-newsletter.beehiiv.com

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Furkhan Dandia Therapist and Coach

I am a men's coach, therapist, group facilitator, podcaster and author. My journey began five years ago when I was going through a separation. I found myself alone and in a shame spiral that our culture and society covertly exert on people due to the perceived "failure" of a marriage. Unfortunately, I personalized that message which led me to fall deeper into a hole, causing me to surround myself with people that did not serve me and engage in substance abuse. While seeking therapy, I was not making the wholesale changes I needed.

As part of my experience with therapy, I realized that I am not alone in the challenges men my age experience (I separated at the age of 34/35). I realized I could be a voice for men like myself and offer support in this space. In the middle of the pandemic, I applied for a Master's degree in Psychology to become a therapist. This change was a significant shift for me as I worked in the corporate world as an engineer. Once I leaned into the space of supporting other men, I also started a podcast to normalize these difficult conversations and started a men's group a year later with the support of a friend.

I thought I was giving something back when I started the men's group. However, I quickly realized I was getting substantially more from the connections I built than I initially anticipated. It was also something I needed because I was going through another breakup.

At that point, I also realized that I had not taken the time to heal, and I was outsourcing my healing through romantic relationships, substances, material acquisitions and superficial relationships. I decided to step away from the outgoing lifestyle and started to focus on my healing which was another phase of evolution for me on my journey. Over the last year and a half, I have become mindful of the people I spend my time with. I have cleaned my lifestyle of substances, toxic environments and behaviours. I have focused on my sleep, my health and my knowledge. I have improved my spiritual relationship with myself, which was lacking the most over the past five years. This is the best I have felt.

As part of my solitude journey and to find myself again, I also released a book encapsulating my journey, which I hope to share with others. My book is titled: The Pursuit of Self-Love.