About Mark Williams Author

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I’m Mark Williams, an author, international mental health campaigner, speaker, and trainer specialising in fathers’ mental health, perinatal wellbeing, suicide prevention, and early intervention.

My work is rooted in lived experience, research, and community action. For over a decade, I have been committed to breaking the silence around men’s mental health — particularly the often-overlooked experiences of fathers during pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood.

I am the founder of  Fathers Reaching Out and the #HowAreYouDad campaign, both created to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and improve support pathways for fathers across the UK and internationally. My advocacy has contributed to national conversations on paternal mental health and helped push fathers’ experiences into policy, practice, and public awareness.

I am the founder of International Fathers Mental Health Day and the Global Paternal Mental Health Partnership, leading national and international efforts to improve awareness, policy, and support for fathers’ mental health.

My work has been recognised with the Pride of Britain Award (Local Hero, 2012), a Points of Light Award (2019) presented by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and the British Citizen Award (2023), awarded at Westminster, in recognition of my contribution to mental health, suicide prevention, and family wellbeing.

Through lived experience, research, writing, and frontline practice, I continue to campaign for earlier prevention, better services, and a stronger voice for fathers and families.

To learn more about my work, please visit www.fathersreachingout.co.uk.

I am a published author with a focus on translating complex research into accessible, human stories that resonate with professionals, families, and communities alike. My books explore themes including:

• Fathers’ perinatal mental health
• Birth trauma and transition to parenthood
• Suicide prevention and early intervention
• Intergenerational trauma, masculinity, and identity
• Lived experience as a driver for change

My writing is used by practitioners, educators, charities, and training programmes, and is frequently shared across academic, policy, and community settings.

Alongside my writing, I lead training, consultancy, and public speaking through , supporting:

• Health and social care professionals
• Prisons and criminal justice services
• Schools, sports organisations, and workplaces
• Community groups and third-sector organisations

My work combines evidence-based practice with lived experience, ensuring that support for fathers is realistic, compassionate, and effective.

I also collaborate closely with , contributing to community-based wellbeing initiatives and national mental health advocacy across Wales.

Too many fathers struggle in silence. Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death for men, and the mental health of fathers has a profound impact on partners, children, and wider society.

I believe mental health prevention starts early — during pregnancy, the first 1,001 days, and through strong relationships, attachment, and community support. By supporting fathers, we strengthen families, reduce long-term harm, and build healthier futures for children.

I’m proud to come from the South Wales Valleys, where community, resilience, and storytelling have shaped who I am. These roots influence my writing, my advocacy, and my belief that change happens best when people feel seen, heard, and valued.

Whether you’re a reader, journalist, policymaker, or organisation interested in collaboration, I welcome conversations that help move fathers’ mental health forward.

🔗 Campaigns & training: www.fathersreachingout.co.uk