🎬 A Weekend to Remember: Bringing Finding Calm to Life! 🎬
Last weekend was truly unforgettable as we stepped onto set to bring Finding Calm to life! Working alongside @_TobyAlexander , his wife @amywalsh27, @chrisbrakeillo and an incredibly talented crew was an inspiring experience one that made this powerful story even more real.
At its core, Finding Calm delves into the emotional journey of a first-time father struggling to bond with his newborn a story that deeply connects with the work we do at Fatherhood Solutions. As a technical advisor, I had the privilege of ensuring the portrayal of a dad’s early struggles was as authentic and raw as the experiences so many men face.
The reality? Too many fathers suffer in silence.
Here’s what the research tells us about paternal mental health during the perinatal period:
📌 1 in 10 fathers experience depression during their partner’s pregnancy or in the first year after birth.
📌 Anxiety disorders affect between 4.1% and 16% of men during pregnancy and 2.4% to 18% in the postnatal period.
📌 Peak onset of depressive symptoms for dads is between 3 to 6 months after birth.
📌 Maternal mental health matters—a father is more likely to experience depression if his partner is struggling with postnatal depression.
📌 Long-term impact—if left untreated, paternal depression can affect family relationships and even a child’s development into adolescence.
Watching Toby-Alexander Smith’s vision come to life on set reinforced one powerful truth—this film is more than just a story.
💭 It’s an experience that gives voice to the unspoken struggles of fatherhood.
💭 It’s a conversation starter about the feelings of disconnection, overwhelm, and uncertainty many dads face.
💭 It’s a moment of recognition, validation, and encouragement for fathers who feel alone.
🎥 Finding Calm has the power to change that.
A massive thank you to Toby, Amy, William Ash, Chris Brake, and the entire team for pouring your hearts into this project. I can’t wait for the world to see Finding Calm and the conversations it will spark about fatherhood and mental health.
💙 Tag a dad who needs to hear this. Let’s break the silence together. #FindingCalm #FatherhoodMatters #MentalHealthAwareness #BreakingTheStigma #NewDads #ParentingJourney #SupportFathers #dads #dad #family #baby @MarkWilliamsFMH@JJSharpers@FathersBeacon
Just 23 hours left to go until our @Kickstarter campaign ends.
Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has propelled us to being 121% funded!
There’s still time to join our backers and support our film about paternal mental health here:
https://t.co/zZz0fzBT2R
#SupportIndieFilm
Please support @_TobyAlexander kickstarter to help get this short film made.
@toby_alexander_smith has poured passion into this script and it really is the one thing we have waited for in the father's space to highlight paternal mental health on a grand stage.
@Fatherhoodipip is honoured to be offering support and guidance to the team along with my good friend @alisonbaum and other hugely influential people in the perinatal world offering their support and approval which indicates how good it is and the impact it will have on fathers and their families.
As always an acknowledgment to my close friend and the godfather of paternal mental health @fathersmentalhealth Mark Williams who has campaigned for many years to see projects like this come to fruition and is also supporting Toby and the team.
To find out more check out @toby_alexander_smith page and finding calm.
This could be the thing we have have waited for and I mean that from the bottom of my heart and I am so grateful to Toby for creating it and it's a huge privilege to be involved and Entrusted with being a voice for fathers amongst the team.
https://t.co/ZRvvP7Gouh
#fyp #mentalhealth #dads #mums #family #newdad #pregnancy
We’re so grateful to have @Pandas_uk supporting our film. Swipe across to see what they have said about their services and the film ➡️➡️ I sent the script to @Pandas_uk to ensure the script is true to life and will resonate with Dad’s and carers out there who may be struggling.
CAST ANNOUNCEMENT: One of the perks of writing your own film is you get to choose who you work with. I chose this incredible actress…who just happens to be my wife. Me and @amywalsh27 will be playing opposite each other in the roles of Sam and Jess.
https://t.co/uZJSqsvHYh
My short film ‘Calm’ is LIVE on Kickstarter.
‘Calm’ tells the story of a first-time father who becomes overwhelmed by the disconnect he feels from his son.
Please help support us if you can, to make what we feel will be a really important and poignant film.
Link in bio!
Toby-Alexander Smith has been casted to play “Harry Windover” in the upcoming film “Seeking Persephone”.
🤞 we’ll get more updates regarding expected release date. Can’t wait!
Source: @sarah_m_eden (Sarah Eden (Instagram) - Author of the original novel) #SeekingPersephone
I’ll be honest, I’m yet to watch “An American In Austen” due to real life commitments 😕
🤞I’ll get to finally watch and give my take this weekend as I REALLY want to see it for myself🙏
Consider yourself booked this weekend. #AnAmericanInAusten premieres Saturday at 8/7c and an all new episode of @TheWayHomeHC premieres Sunday at 9/8c. Who's tuning in? #TheWayHome