SMS4DeadlyDads New Partnership

SMS4DeadlyDads is proud to announce their new partnership with Awabakal.

Awabakal is the leading medical provider in the Hunter delivering culturally-appropriate primary health care services, advocacy and social and emotional support to Aboriginal people and their families. Awabakal supports families with the arrival of over 50 new babies each year.

Deadly Dads Awabakal Partnership -

Working Together to Support Dads

SMS4DeadlyDads and Awabakal are working together to support new dads and dads-to-be throughout the Hunter. 

New dads who access birthing services and care through Awabakal will receive a DeadlyDad pack to welcome their bub and acknowledge the important role fathers play in the perinatal phase. 

Dads will also receive support, information and links to services if things don’t go to plan during a pregnancy or birth. 

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Deadly Packs for New Dads

Expecting dad and CEO of Awabakal Jason Smith sees value in the partnership between SMS4DeadlyDads and Awabakal.

The partnership is integral in getting the SMS4DeadlyDads text messages developed and to ensure they are well placed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dads – especially if things don’t go to plan with a pregnancy or birth.

Deadly Dad Packs are continuing to be shaped up. The packs are especially for new Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander fathers. Inside each Deadly Dad Pack is a Deadly Dad cap, Deadly keyring, information brochures about services and tips for being a deadly new dad.

Awabakal Medical Services will be distributing the Deadly Dad Packs to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dads throughout the Hunter.

Deadly Dads Awabakal Partnership -
Deadly Dads Awabakal Partnership -

CEO of Awabakal Jason Smith with SMS4Dads Founder A/Prof. Richard Fletcher

“Supporting families in our communities is what we both do as organisations – and we can do it better together. We seek success. We seek consultation. We seek, communication and connection – and I believe that this partnership will bring about those elements.” Jason Smith, Awabakal CEO

Deadly Dads Awabakal Partnership -
Deadly Dads Awabakal Partnership -
Deadly Dads Awabakal Partnership -
Deadly Dads Awabakal Partnership -
Deadly Dads Awabakal Partnership -

SMS4DeadlyDads in partnership with Awabakal

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 Fletcher

Associate Professor, PhD

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.