by Nehme Moussa, Licensed Psychotherapist
Father’s Day isn’t just about ties, tools, or BBQs. It’s about the quiet, powerful moments of fatherhood that rarely find their way into words but live in the heart forever.
Like the first time they hear a tiny heartbeat in a clinic room. That moment they hold their newborn and feel everything shift. The panic of a diaper gone wrong. The unexpected tears after hearing “Dad” for the first time. These aren’t just milestones, they’re emotional earthquakes. They change everything.
But while we celebrate those sweet firsts, we often skip over something just as real: how fatherhood messes with your mind. The pressure to keep it together. The fear of getting it wrong. The late-night spirals while rocking a crying baby. And the weight of being the “strong one” when inside, they’re unsure, exhausted, or even quietly breaking.
Many dads feel like they have to tough it out. Smile through the stress. But the truth? It’s okay not to be okay. The messy parts are real, too. The stress, the doubt, the “am I doing this right?” They’re part of the story.
So this Father’s Day, let’s remind dads that their mental health matters just as much as their support, that talking about the hard stuff doesn’t make them weak, it makes them human. And it sets the most powerful example of all.
To all the dads showing up, figuring it out, and feeling deeply behind the scenes: you don’t need to be perfect. Just present. We see you.
Happy Father’s Day. You matter more than you know.