The Local Edition

By Patricio Robayo

As millions prepare to celebrate Father’s Day this Sunday, mental health professionals are calling attention to a lesser-known reality facing thousands of new fathers: paternal postpartum depression.

Often overshadowed by maternal mental health discussions, paternal postpartum depression affects approximately 1 in 10 new dads, according to Postpartum Support International (PSI). When a partner is also experiencing postpartum depression, that figure increases to a staggering 1 in 2.

“This is not just a women’s issue. This is a public mental health issue,” said Dr. Dan Singley, a psychologist specializing in men’s mental health and director of The Center for Men’s Excellence. “And too many dads are suffering in silence.”

Warning Signs Often Missed

During a recent interview with Radio Catskill, Dr. Singley explained that male depression—particularly after the birth of a child—often goes undetected. While traditional symptoms like sadness and lethargy can appear, many men experience less obvious signs: irritability, anger, isolation, excessive work, substance abuse, or even compulsive behaviors like gambling or video gaming.

“Men tend to somaticize,” Dr. Singley noted, referring to the phenomenon where emotional pain manifests as physical symptoms. “Chest tightness, headaches, digestive issues—these can be signs of unspoken emotional distress.”

Unlike mothers, who are routinely screened for postpartum depression, fathers rarely receive formal mental health evaluations during pediatric visits or postnatal check-ups.

Social Norms and Silence

Experts say one of the biggest barriers to treatment is cultural. The prevailing stereotype of fathers as stoic providers often prevents them from seeking help—or even recognizing their own symptoms.

“As men, we’re taught to protect, provide, and sacrifice,” Dr. Singley told me. “But no one tells us that sometimes we’ll need others to protect and support us. That’s where the stigma lies.”

The stigma extends beyond the doctor’s office. On social media, memes that mock male vulnerability often circulate widely—messages like “Deal with it, no one cares”—which reinforce silence and shame around men's mental health.

“I’ve heard from dads who feel they have no right to feel overwhelmed because their partner is the one physically recovering from childbirth,” said Singley. “But this isn’t a competition of who has it worse. It’s about identifying when someone needs help.”

Shared Struggles at Home

One of the more sobering statistics: when a mother is experiencing postpartum depression, the likelihood that her partner is also struggling jumps to 50%.

“That doesn’t mean one causes the other,” Dr. Singley clarified. “It speaks to how deeply interconnected co-parents are. When one is struggling, the other often is too.”

The positive side of that equation? Recovery can be contagious. “When one partner starts to heal, the other often follows. Mental health lifts the whole household.”

Resources and Support

To raise awareness, PSI marks the day after Father’s Day—June 16 this year—as International Father’s Mental Health Day. The goal is to shatter the stigma and connect dads with accessible resources. No diagnosis is required to seek help.

PSI offers a range of free services, including a helpline (1-800-944-4773), text support, and weekly online groups tailored specifically for dads. Their website, postpartum.net, also features a dedicated section for fathers, including tools to find therapists trained in paternal mental health.

“Sometimes just logging into a group and listening is enough to start the journey,” Dr. Singley said. “You don’t even have to speak. You just have to show up.”

A Message for Dads

Dr. Singley  says to any new father reading this: you're not alone. You’re not weak. And you’re not broken. You’re going through one of life’s biggest transitions, and it’s okay to struggle. What matters is what you do next.

If you know a dad who seems off—withdrawn, short-tempered, distant—Dr. Singley offers this simple advice: “Ask him how he’s doing. Then ask again.”

In the days surrounding Father’s Day, amid the celebrations and cards, it’s worth remembering that being a strong father doesn’t mean carrying the weight in silence. Sometimes, it means having the courage to say, “I need help.”

In this "Meet the Candidates" episode, Patricio sits down with Tim Dymond, a longtime Sullivan County resident and recently retired senior investigator with the New York State Police. With more than 20 years of law enforcement experience—including service with both the NYPD and State Police—Dymond discusses why he's running for Sullivan County Sheriff.

He outlines a detailed platform focused on modernization, community engagement, and tackling urgent local issues like the opioid epidemic. Dymond also addresses bail reform, transparency in law enforcement, and his vision for building a more connected and accountable sheriff’s office. This candid conversation offers voters a clear look at the values and plans behind Dymond’s campaign.

In this "Meet the Candidates" interview, we sit down with Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff as he seeks re-election. Sheriff Schiff reflects on his extensive tenure since 2006, outlining the key initiatives he's led to improve public safety, such as implementing drone technology, launching a dedicated emergency services unit, and enhancing youth engagement programs.

He directly addresses recent allegations circulating on social media, calling them baseless, and details the internal reviews and policy safeguards in place. Schiff also shares insights on law enforcement’s role in the opioid crisis, the use of new tools like Bearcats and license plate readers, and his views on ICE and immigration issues.

This candid conversation highlights his plans for deepening community trust and the continued modernization of local policing. Don't miss this opportunity to hear directly from the candidate on the issues that matter most to Sullivan County voters.

A video that’s been making the rounds on Facebook has sparked controversy and political tension in Sullivan County just weeks before the Republican primary for sheriff. The video alleges an improper relationship involving a Sullivan County undersheriff, a former deputy, and an inmate—and suggests a cover-up.

The footage, posted in the group Behind the Scenes of Sullivan County Politics, compiles surveillance clips and recorded video calls, painting a picture of alleged misconduct inside the Sheriff’s Office. 

In speaking with Radio Catskill, Schiff called the video "completely unfounded" and politically motivated. "This outrageous claim is being made without any evidence whatsoever," he said.

Schiff’s campaign said in a Facebook post that the video was “obtained without authorization and is pieced together, out of context,” noting that the District Attorney’s Office had already reviewed the matter and determined it had no merit.

According to Schiff, the video omits key facts. In one clip, the undersheriff is seen handing a bottle of DayQuil to a former deputy in his truck—something Schiff says happened during the height of the pandemic when the woman, a longtime family friend, wasn’t feeling well. In another part, she’s seen on a video call with an inmate, but Schiff says she was no longer employed by the department at that time.

The campaign's statement also criticized challenger Tim Dymond, accusing him of trying to sway voters with what Schiff described as a "wild conspiracy theory."

The former deputy, Schiff said, had come forward on her own, reporting that she had developed feelings for an inmate. She resigned shortly after. An internal review found no evidence of contraband or sexual misconduct, Schiff added.

Dymond has publicly called for an investigation, but Schiff insists the DA’s office already looked into the matter. No charges have been filed, and there’s been no indication of a formal investigation.

The New Paltz Pride Coalition co-hosted a special documentary honoring singer-songwriter Janis Ian’s life at the Rosendale Theatre on June 11 as part of their lineup of Pride Month events. The documentary, Janis Ian: Breaking Silence, is named after her 1993 album where she publicly came out as a lesbian.

New Paltz Pride Coalition is a haven for the LGBTQIA community in New Paltz currently working to create a dedicated center for folks to gather at. Radio Catskill’s Kimberly Izar spoke with Eve Papp, Co-Founder and Board President of the New Paltz Pride Coalition, about what they have lined up for June and why creating safe spaces is more important than ever.

The Forestburgh Playhouse in the Sullivan Catskills is hosting its second Drag Me to the Catskills, a weekend-long series of events from June 13 to 15, focused on celebrating drag performance. Featuring a renowned cast of drag queens, who have been critical to the modern drag movement and drag’s rise in pop culture through shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race, Drag Me to the Catskills aims to bring this powerful form of LGBTQ+ expression directly to Sullivan County.

Radio Catskill’s Julia Kim had the chance to speak with Forestburgh Playhouse’s director Franklin Trapp about what the event has in store for audiences and then long-time queen Mrs. Kasha Davis on the importance of drag to both her own life and that of others — especially amid the federal government’s increasing hostility towards the LGBTQ+ community within the United States. Here’s Franklin…

Before the New York State Senate and Assembly leave for summer recess, Catskill Mountainkeeper is pushing for a statewide ban on toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in farm fertilizers.

An environmental advocacy group in Sullivan County, Catskill Mountainkeeper is sounding the alarm about the use of biosolids in fertilizers to grow food.  They are calling for supporters to contact their members of the New York State Senate and Assembly to vote "Yes" on the Management of PFAS in Biosolids Act before their legislative sessions end on June 12 and June 17 respectively.

High levels of PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, often referred to as “forever chemicals” in food, water, and packaging have been linked to a weakened antibody response to vaccines, increased cholesterol levels, and even certain cancers, including liver and testicular.

In response, this bill would require vital testing of soil, water, and sludge, in order to ban the use of forever chemicals on farmland. 

Radio Catskill's Genevieve Hartnett spoke with Wes Gillingham, Associate Director of Catskill Mountainkeeper about how PFAS contaminates farmland and whether or not the bill has a chance to pass before the legislative sessions end next week in Albany.

As the clock runs out on this year’s legislative session in Albany, lawmakers are trying to wrap up key bills and settle budget concerns before heading home for the summer.

The State Assembly will stay in Albany through June 17, while the Senate is set to finish by June 12.

To help explain what’s at stake and what it means for local communities, Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke with David Lombardo, host of The Capitol Pressroom.

Aid in Dying vote leads the agenda

One of the biggest issues right now is the Medical Aid in Dying Act, which would allow terminally ill New Yorkers to end their lives with the help of a doctor.

Lombardo said, “This has the potential to be the one big issue that does get done here in Albany.”

While other bills are still in play, Lombardo said it is unlikely that prison reform or environmental bills will make it across the finish line.

Budget cuts could come later

Though the state passed a $250 billion budget this spring, it may face cuts if expected federal funding falls short.

The budget includes language to deal with more than $2 billion in potential federal cuts. But Lombardo said lawmakers might leave the hard decisions to the governor.

“My guess is that the state lawmakers will not necessarily want to own budget cuts. 'Cause budget cuts are not popular,” he said.

He added, “This is one of those times where the governor is likely gonna have to be the adult in the room, so to speak, and they'll be the one who is going to lead on these cuts.”

Local lawmakers working for home districts

In the Hudson Valley and Catskills, Assemblymember Paula Kay (D-100th District) is trying to move local bills, such as improving private school transportation in Sullivan County and a bill about bail eligibility for controlled substances.

Lombardo said, “She has a bunch of sort of local interest bills, some in which she carries with Republican State Senator Peter Oberacker.”

Another thing to watch is whether Kay can secure “bullet aid” for local projects.

“In the final days of the legislative session here in Albany, the Assembly will vote on a bunch of resolutions that will include different pots of money that Paula Kay might be able to steer to the 100th Assembly District,” Lombardo said.

State Senator Peter Oberacker (R-51st District) faces even more hurdles in moving big bills.

Lombardo said, “I wouldn’t expect him to be grabbing too many headlines between now and the end of the legislative session, given that he is a Republican in a body ruled by Democrats.”

Delgado’s run could shift politics

Looking ahead to 2026, Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado is running in the Democratic primary against Governor Hochul.

His platform includes ideas like universal healthcare.

Lombardo said, “If he's able to gain traction, if he's able to steer the agenda, if he's able to steer the media narrative, then sure, I think Governor Hochul is gonna have to be responsive. But he has a long way to go, many mountains to climb before he's a part of a serious conversation with regards to the gubernatorial election in 2026.”

“Right now, if I'm Governor Kathy Hochul, I'm more concerned with who my potential Republican opponent will be in the general election,” Lombardo added.

Prison reform loses steam

One issue that has lost momentum is prison reform.

Lombardo said, “Six months ago there was a major conversation about prison reform in New York following the death of Robert Brooks at a central New York prison. That conversation has died down to a whimper.”

“There's efforts by progressives in the legislature and in the criminal justice space to bring it back to life… but it really seems unlikely that there's going to be anything substantive done in that area,” he said.

Cuomo campaign casts a shadow

Final stretch

Lawmakers still need to finish work on hundreds of routine bills—such as local tax extenders—and possibly update the state’s temporary disability insurance and tackle single-use plastic packaging.

But with just days remaining, it remains to be seen how much more they can accomplish.

Lombardo said, “There's only so many days left and so many bills, so many hundreds of bills that they need to get done as a matter of course.”

The People for People Fund is a non-profit dedicated to providing interim financial assistance to residents of Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster counties who find themselves facing sudden financial emergencies. 

Whether it's covering the cost of essential textbooks, managing a hefty medical bill, or paying for an urgent car repair.

Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo spoke to Marsi Ann Clark, executive director for the People for People Fund, to learn more about the organization. 

As Albany Debates Plastics Crackdown, Industry Pushes Softer Alternative

The chemical industry is pushing to replace a sweeping plastics bill with a more business-friendly alternative.