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SMS4dads delivers child development and parenting support and information to dads via their mobile phones. We don’t provide clinical services for people in crises.
If you, or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 000 or visit your nearest hospital emergency department.
National Perinatal Mental Health Helpline 1300 726 306
9am – 7.30pm Mon – Fri (AEST/AEDT)
Australia’s only free, national helpline service for women, men and their families affected by perinatal mental illness.
The Helpline is managed by highly trained and caring counsellors who provide a safe and confidential space for any new or expecting parent struggling with the challenges of becoming a new parent.
24/7 Support Line 1300 308 307
Red Nose support grieving individuals and families and have a 24/7 Support Line. If you need help, you can call to speak to someone now
Red Nose also has a range of resources available for parents, carers, and health professions to help reduce the risk of sudden and unexpected death during pregnancy, infancy and childhood.
You can explore their Support Library or call 1300 308 307 to speak to someone now
lifeline.org.au – 13 11 14
Call Lifeline’s 24 hour crisis phone line
beyondblue.org.au – 1300 224 636
Beyond Blue offers 24/7 support from a trained mental health professional
suicidecallbackservice.org.au – 1300 659 467
A nationwide service that provides professional 24/7 telephone and online counselling to people who are affected by suicide.
carersaustralia.com.au – 1800 242 636
Carers Australia offer short-term counselling and emotional and psychological support services for carers and their families in each state and territory.
headspace.org.au – 1800 650 890
Headspace offer free online and telephone service that supports young people aged between 12 and 25 and their families going through a tough time.
kidshelpline.com.au – 1800 55 1800
Kids Helpline is a free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25.
mensline.org.au – 1300 78 99 78
A telephone and online support, information and referral service, for men with family and relationship concerns.
blackdoginstitute.org.au
Black Dog Institute provides information on symptoms, treatment and prevention of depression and bipolar disorder.
mindspot.org.au – 1800 61 44 34
MindSpot Clinic is an online and telephone clinic providing free assessment and treatment services for Australian adults with anxiety or depression.
relationships.org.au – 1300 364 277
Relationships Australia is a provider of relationship support services for individuals, families and communities.
sane.org – 1800 18 7263
The SANE Australia Helpline, for information about mental illness, treatments, where to go for support.
clan.org.au
CLAN offers support to people who have grown up in Orphanages, Children’s Homes, Missions and Foster Care in Australia and New Zealand, or whose parents or other family members had this experience.
Alcohol and Drug Information Service – 24 hour helpline – Dial 1800 198 024
Parent Information Service – 24 hour helpline – Dial 1800 653 203
Alcoholics Anonymous – 24 hour helpline – Dial 1300 222 222
mensline.org.au – 1300 78 99 78
A telephone and online support, information and referral service, for men with family and relationship concerns.
relationships.org.au – 1300 364 277
Relationships Australia is a provider of relationship support services for individuals, families and communities.
mentoringmen.org.au
A registered Australian charity providing life mentoring programs for adult men in the community – Mentoring Men connect volunteer mentors to mentees.
Rape & Domestic Violence Services Australia – 1800RESPECT / 1800 737 732
Provide 24/7 telephone and online crisis counselling for anyone – women and men - in Australia who has experienced or is at risk of sexual assault, family or domestic violence and their non-offending supporters.
Family Support Crisis Care 24 hour Helpline – 1800 199 008
By the Australian Department for Child Protection
The Men’s Referral Service – 1300 766 491
A men’s family violence telephone counselling, information and referral service for men taking responsibility for their violent behaviour. 24/7 in NSW and TAS.
kidshelp.com.au – 1800 551 800
Kids Helpline offer free phone and online counselling aged 5-25 years.
headspace.org.au – 1800 650 890
Headspace offer free online and telephone service that supports young people aged between 12 and 25 and their families going through a tough time.
Bullying No Way – an Australian Government initiative.
Practical support, tools and tips to help young people get through anything from everyday issues to tough times, as well as offering information for parents to help their teenagers through these times.
ngala.com.au
Ngala are a provider of Early Parenting and Early Childhood services with a passion for supporting and guiding families and young children through the journey of parenting.
Meerilinga are a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity that promotes the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; working with children, their families, early childhood professionals, planners and the community to raise the status of children in Western Australia.
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.