The new messages have been co-written by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leaders, researchers, health professionals and incorporate feedback from both Indigenous dads and mums with lived experience.
The SMS4DeadlyDads team has been visiting communities around Australia to talk what happens when a pregnancy is lost or a baby dies at birth and what would culturally safe support look like.
We’ve also heard from First Nations communities and health workers about what happens in these circumstances and what supports (if any) are in place for fathers and mothers who experience the loss of a pregnancy or baby during birth or soon after.
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Ben and Natalie lost their twin daughters, Sydney Rose and Patience Blue soon after birth. They talk about their loss – what helped, what didn’t and what they wished they had known at the time.
1 in 5 pregnancies result in miscarriage.
There are 6 stillbirths a day in Australia.
And sadly more than 700 babies pass away each year within 28 days after birth.
These figures are alarmingly high and even higher for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents.
This project is a partnership with Red Nose and SMS4DeadlyDads. The messages specifically developed for First Nations fathers in cases of pregnancy loss, stillbirth or neonatal death will be delivered for FREE.
The text messages, info and resources have been co-designed with First Nations leaders and fathers with lived experience.
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If you know a new or soon-to-be dad – let them know about SMS4DeadlyDads and SMS4dads. It’s a valuable service that contributes to the wellbeing of dads, their partners and their babies.
IT’S FREE and dads from anywhere in Australia can JOIN UP
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.