Menu
SMS4DADS WHO ARE GRIEVING
SMS4dads has created a set of messages for dads who have experienced the loss of a baby/babies.
SMS4dads partnered with Red Nose to create a Grief & Loss message set to provide vital bereavement support to grieving fathers – to help them navigate their first few months following their loss.
The Grief & Loss messages have been created based on advice from parents who have experienced their own loss.
Grief & Loss messages are sent over a 15-week period. For the first two days you will receive a welcome message together with your standard message. Messages will then be sent at the same time of the day with more messages in the first few weeks before dropping off to two or three messages a week from week seven.
Dads can reply to any message to give feedback or to opt out.
WHAT WOULD HAVE HELPED?
Here’s what dads say would have helped them following the loss of their baby
Here is a useful site with some more information for dads from Red Nose
NOTE
SMS4dads refers to dads as, he/him/his in current text message sets. This is a deliberate strategy to talk directly to fathers. It is known that fathers often think that information with less gendered language, such as parent, is not directed at them. We understand that families (and dads) come in all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, genders, and non-binary representations and that some family members may prefer different wording. SMS4dads does not require any gender-related disclosure, and we hope those who enrol find the information useful.
Richard’s research revealed possible long-term negative impacts on the children of dads with mental health issues. Fathers’ depressive symptoms in the first year after the birth predicted behaviour problems in their children years later.
“If dads’ mental health has such a dramatic impact then we need to be screening dads for depression, not just mums,” Richard explains.
In response to these limitations, Richard and his team have designed a smart-phone based program that allows mobile connection for new and expectant dads.
Participants receive texts containing information and links, and self-report their mood. If the mood tracker identifies dads as needing extra support, they will be offered a phone call from a counsellor trained in this area.
Following the success of the pilot of the SMS4dads program, Funding was received to enable a National roll-out.
“When dad’s miss antenatal classes or activities, they also miss out on contact and links to other people. They may never get the chance to say to anyone, look I’m really stressed,” he points out.
“SMS4dads is a way of bringing dads into the health system and keeping them linked in with services and support,” explains Richard.
Richard credits a varied career, a talented and innovative team, and much life experience for affording him the insight needed to address the challenges related to actively engaging dads.
After completing his masters in Medical Science, studying epidemiology, Richard earned his PhD focusing on fathers and attachment.
“Fathers are invisible in many places, and that is endemic. Not because people dislike fathers, but because the system is set up to be focused on mothers.”
Some services and organisations are aware of the need to engage dads, but have been unsuccessful in their attempts.
“When people are challenged about this, they generally want dads involved,” Richard affirms.
“Often, however, they just don’t know how to do it.”
Richard works with health professionals on issues related to fathers, and has delivered many antenatal programs for expectant dads.
He credits his own family with giving him an understanding of the role of fathers needed to make his work relevant.
“I have three daughters and two stepdaughters,”
“My kids would say they taught me just about everything I know and they’d be right. They’ve taught me a lot, and still do.”
Richard’s research revealed possible long-term negative impacts on the children of dads with mental health issues. Fathers’ depressive symptoms in the first year after the birth predicted behaviour problems in their children years later.
“If dads’ mental health has such a dramatic impact then we need to be screening dads for depression, not just mums,” Richard explains.
In response to these limitations, Richard and his team have designed a smart-phone based program that allows mobile connection for new and expectant dads.
Participants receive texts containing information and links, and self-report their mood. If the mood tracker identifies dads as needing extra support, they will be offered a phone call from a counsellor trained in this area.
Following the success of the pilot of the SMS4dads program, Funding was received to enable a National roll-out.
“When dad’s miss antenatal classes or activities, they also miss out on contact and links to other people. They may never get the chance to say to anyone, look I’m really stressed,” he points out.
“SMS4dads is a way of bringing dads into the health system and keeping them linked in with services and support,” explains Richard.