This “Know-vember”

How much do you think you know about the gaps Fathers’ UpLift was created to address? This year’s “Know-vember” campaign is intended to cover everything you need to know about father absence and the state of men’s mental health—particularly for men of color—today.

We believe that change starts with knowledge and understanding. That’s why we’re starting by giving you an overview of paternal mental health statistics and illustrating the needs we’re addressing. Then, we want to share some pretty neat stats of our own.

(We’ve also got a bit of an announcement at the end, so don’t miss that!)

You can find raw stats in bold and/or bullet point lists below, as we want to make it easy for you to go through and pick up the key facts and figures pertaining to our mission.

The Situation

There are approximately 5 million absent fathers in the US today. This means that roughly 10 million American children are growing up fatherless. Due to factors of racism, incarceration, unaddressed mental health, and other obstacles, this challenge is particularly prevalent among men of color. Roughly 16.3% and 18% of Black and Hispanic fathers, respectively, see their children less than once a month.

For future generations, this is a recipe for disaster. Here are some stats for children growing up without their father present:

• 116.8% more likely to be incarcerated before the age of 30
• 30% more likely to abuse substances
• 85% increased risk of behavioral disorders
• 300% increased prevalence of poverty vs households with both parents involved
• 39% of jail inmates were raised in father-absent households

As mentioned above, absent fathers of color face racially-unequal obstacles in mental health and incarceration. Here are some of those challenges:

• Approximately 8.5% of men suffer from daily feelings of depression or anxiety
  • However, only about ¼ of Black and Hispanic men suffering from these disorders had utilized mental health treatments, versus nearly half of their white counterparts
• Roughly 1.5% of Black Americans and 0.76% of Hispanic Americans are incarcerated in the US, far more than the rate of 0.26% for White Americans (DOJ)
• Successful re-entry is a challenge for all, but slightly more so for men of color. According to the MA DOC 2022 Trends report, the most recent one-year recidivism rate (the percentage of returning citizens who re-enter prison) is 15%, and three-year recidivism rate is 29% (33% for Black males)

Recently, the opioid crisis has reached new heights for Black Americans as well, particularly here in Suffolk County. 

• In 2021, the overdose deaths per 100,000 population among Black men in the county stood at 93.8, a troubling 35% higher than the national average (and nearly 1 in 1000)
• According to the CDC, New England was the region of the US with the highest fentanyl and cocaine overdose death rates in 2021
• Among new FUL clients beginning services in 2023, 45% self-report some degree of prior substance use
  • 37% of whom have reported overdosing at some point in their lifetime

We believe it is critical that any move to lessen father absence accounts for inequities in mental health, incarceration and re-entry, and social determinants of health as a whole. We exist to be a force for our fathers that accounts for these things.

An Update on The Change We’re Making

Despite the aforementioned array of challenges men of color face in their mental health and fatherhood, the clients we serve continue to inspire us with their ability to overcome even the most dire circumstances. 

According to our most recent survey statistics for clients past six months of service:

• 87% reported improved quality of life (and only one individual reported decreased quality of life)
• 84% reported present in-person engagement in the lives of their children within the last month
  • 87% reported improved relationships with their children

Based on a comprehensive evaluation model of various struggles clients may face, those we serve reported:

• 8.7% and 6.4% average decrease in vulnerability and distress scores, respectively
• 81% said they are more likely than not to seek the help of a mental health professional when they need support (decreased stigma)
• Additionally, men in their first year of re-entry served by Fathers’ UpLift recidivate at a rate roughly ¼ of that of the general re-entering population
• Overall, 92.4% of those served by Fathers’ UpLift “definitely would” recommend our organization to other fathers and families

We are proud to make such an impact in the lives of our fathers, their children, and our communities. Thank you for your support that has made work like this possible.

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Also, a special announcement!

If you’re here, you’ve probably advocated for our dads and communities in some form or another in conversations, support, and/or sharing our content. As we search for ways to better engage our dedicated supporters like you, we’ve created a new opportunity to honor your support: the “Dadvocate” program!

Our goal this holiday season is to have a total of 60 members of our “Dadvocate” membership, each of whom supports our mission with at least $20 a month and in turn receives:

• extra updates and personalized communications

• annual gifts each winter holiday season

• entry to a raffle of donated goods each Father’s Day season

We see our supporting community as family. We want to help you feel more like the family we see you as. Click HERE to join our Dadvocate membership today!