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We would like to acknowledge and thank the many parents and clinicians who provided feedback on the messages that SMS4dads have developed to support Dads whose partners are experiencing perinatal mental health distress.
For your information we have outlined below the steps we undertook to develop the messages and our proposed strategy for sending the messages to fathers enrolled in SMS4dads.
Parents with a lived experience of mental health distress in the perinatal period were recruited to participate in a survey through the PANDA Facebook page.
Survey questions were based on themes identified in academic literature and feedback from clinical focus groups on what factors mothers & fathers had rated as being helpful in their recovery from mental health distress.
Survey results were analysed and a set of messages were drafted.
Parents and clinicians were recruited through Facebook, SMS4dads Dads reference group and PANDA’s Clinical Champions Network to rate the draft messages. Parents and clinicians were asked to rate messages for importance and ease of understanding while clinicians were also asked to rate the clinical relevance.
We calculated average rating for each message for both parents and clinicians, a combined average score, and a discrepancy score between parents and clinicians. Open responses for parent and clinician comments were also collated.
Messages with low scores were edited or deleted. We also paid particular attention to, and usually deleted, messages where a particular reviewer was highly critical.
The reviewed messages were sent to parents and clinicians who provided feedback on the first draft
Feedback on these messages was then reviewed. Edits, included grammar, additional information or links, and suggestions to re-phrase. This was the final revision.
Even the strongest people have self-doubt about parenthood. Talking with mum about her fears and yours can help. No solutions needed- just listening
Some parents have enough support from family and friends. Many don’t, and this can be tough. Find info on getting help at: [Web Link]
Distressed mums can find it hard to switch off from parenting, trust others and share the work. Things you can do now at: [Web Link]
The way you talk with, and support each other will shape how your family works together in the future. What you do and say now will make a difference.
New parenting is all about highs and lows, Dad. The lows can overwhelm anybody. It might be hard now but there’s a lot for our family to look forward to.
Looking after yourself with good food, exercise and sleep (when you can get it) will help you to be a better dad and partner.
A series of prompt messages will be scheduled at specific times during the Dad’s enrolment to ask them if their partner may be distressed and to offer to send a tailored set of mental health messages. A sample prompt message is:
You are your partner’s most important support. Trust your instincts. If you think she is overwhelmed text back 7 for info on things you can do.
Fathers who respond to the text will receive the additional set of tailored messages.
If you would like to receive further updates on SMS4dads pop in your details below. Thank you once again for your contribution.
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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.
