At SMS4dads, we welcome this spotlight, because the experiences of dads are too often overlooked in our health and social systems.
We need systemic, sector-wide change in our approach to fathers. The field is wide open for us to do better with and for our men. It’s clear – men want to be included during the early stages of parenthood. With better information directed at new and soon-to-be dads, they can build confidence and gain access to the tools and information they need.
Dads are indeed putting their hands up to be hands-on parents. The sector needs to step up, be much more father-friendly, and actively include and engage dads – for the health and well-being of the whole family.
We need to deliver health services in ways that work for men. With family violence and suicide rates at alarming levels and continuing to rise, we are failing our men. We need sector-wide change to engage and speak directly to dads about the powerful impact they have in their families – right from the start.
We know that our men make a difference, yet they are falling through the cracks in perinatal health. There are rumblings for change, with health workers crying out for positive, targeted, and strength-based resources for fathers. SMS4dads continues to shine a spotlight on the other 50% of the parenting picture. SMS4dads is a service that provides significant support and valuable information to fathers during the perinatal period and throughout the baby’s first year. So far, over 21,000 fathers have registered to receive texts from every state and territory in Australia, equating to more than 2.5 million text messages sent directly to dads, supporting them in their journey as new fathers.
Dads (and health workers) consistently express strong appreciation for the program’s content and delivery method – especially as there is not a lot out there on offer specifically for dads.
“It was nice to have consistent, thoughtful check-ins. There was no pressure to interact, and plenty of useful and meaningful information was provided in a way that wasn’t too overwhelming.”
“I liked being able to read helpful texts anytime, anywhere.”
“It was awesome to have a channel talking directly to dads. It filled me with information I needed at different parts of the journey.”
“There were good reminders and prompts, especially when I was in the thick of it.”
“The links were helpful, because there is so much info online, but the SMS4dads service helped me access the right parts for the current time, without being bombarded with info.”
“Honestly, just knowing other people were going through the same thing or had gone through it and had shared enough to create this content helped. Often guys don’t talk enough about real things like this. Thank you so much.”
The overwhelmingly positive feedback, with 97% agreeing the messages helped them “understand more about parenting,” 89% feeling “less isolated,” and 85% reporting that the messages helped them “develop a strong relationship with our baby,” demonstrates that SMS4dads is not just “shining a spotlight” but actively empowering fathers to be present, engaged, and mentally resilient caregivers. This service is a testament to delivering health services in ways that truly “work for men” and is a vital step toward fostering stronger families and improving men’s mental health outcomes across Australia.
Dads appreciate having a resource specifically tailored to their needs, which makes them feel important and provides a welcome and valuable support. This addresses a historical gap where fathers have often felt like the invisible parent in the perinatal period. SMS4dads actively speaks directly to fathers and acknowledges their vital role.
“SMS4dads provided a constant reminder that fatherhood is as meaningful as motherhood.”
The service helps dads check in on their mental health, providing reassurance and normalising the fact that their struggles are common. It offers comfort and support, especially during difficult times.
“I found the messages anchoring & reassuring. I liked that I felt they were just for me as a dad. They felt special & this feeling helped me navigate the darkest periods.”
The SMS messages serve as reminders and prompts to connect with their baby and to initiate important conversations with their partner about parenting, their relationship, and their respective well-being.
“The messages about making time for your relationship were perfectly timed when we were both feeling stressed and unhappy about certain things.”
“Just the regular check-ins made me feel like I was part of it all. It was a great way to be reminded to check on your own mental health, too. Plus, there were always cool little tips or information about what my baby was doing at that stage.”
We need system-wide change to make our health and community services truly father-inclusive. SMS4dads is proof that when we speak directly to dads, in ways that work for them, we can help them feel less isolated, more confident, and better connected to their families and support services.
“I just wanted to say a massive thank you. These messages have helped me so much. I cannot even begin to describe how helpful they’ve been. Incredibly assuring, motivating and comforting during some dark periods.”
“It helped me feel connected and supported, like having a friend remind me that things were ok.”
“Giving my baby a voice really helped me to think more about the needs of my baby and how to do better for them.”
“I found SMS4dads absolutely brilliant. I was really struggling in the early months of being a father, and the SMS’s that were sent were so spot on and relevant to the baby’s development that it was a little scary!”
“Mums still have mothers’ groups, but for dads it’s a lot more isolating. Being a new dad has been challenging for a number of reasons. The messages helped to improve my wellbeing.”
“Who would have thought a text could provide so much support 🙂 Thanks again.”
“I appreciated the advice for supporting my partner. When you’re busy and in the thick of things, it was a nice gentle reminder and sometimes gave us a helpful prompt to check in with one another.”
“Everything. It was honestly the best thing I did in preparation for being a father and helped me through times where I felt isolated and overwhelmed with the experience of being a new dad.”
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.
