The ol’ apple never falls far from the tree—and sadly, that applies to depression too. Studies have long known that a mother’s depression increases the likelihood that her kids will suffer with the same issues, but what about dads? At last, a landmark study reports the mental-health issues that a depressed father may cause in his children. According to the new research, a child’s likelihood of developing emotional issues can rise to 70 percent if their father is depressed (versus about 6 percent for a child with mentally healthy parents). To any dads struggling with depression, it’s a good reminder to seek help if you need it. If not for yourself, than for the little sponge next to you.
MORE: Your Mind: Healthy Approaches for Treating Depression
