Please see below SMS4dads management policy regarding storage and use of personal data and records.
The information gathered by SMS4dads will not be released or shared with anybody unless in aggregate form which does not identify any individual. The information given such as phone number or email address will only be seen by members of the research team and will not be used for any other purpose without your express agreement.
Any information collected by SMS4dads which might identify you will be stored securely and only accessed by researchers unless you consent otherwise, except as required by law. Data will be retained for at least 5 years at the University of Newcastle.
Participation in research and/or the service as a participant is entirely your choice. Only those people who give their informed consent are included in the project/service delivery. There is no obligation for you to provide feedback to texts/surveys. If you are busy, or don’t feel like responding, that is fine. There will be no harassing phone calls or unwanted reminders.
Participants can withdraw from the project at any time by texting “Stop” to SMS4dads. Participants can withdraw without giving reason and all information provided by the participant for this research will be destroyed if they ask for this to be done.
You have a right to…
Access
Services that meet your needs
Safety
Receive safe and high quality health care that meets national standards
Respect
Be treated as an individual, and with dignity and respect
Have my culture, identity, beliefs and choices recognised and respected
Partnership
Ask questions within the scope of SMS4dads or SMS4DeadlyDads and be involved in open and honest communication
Information
Be provided with clear information about, the possible benefits and risks of participating in the service, so I can give my informed consent
Receive information about the service
Be given assistance, when I need it, to connect to online mental health support
Privacy
Have my personal privacy respected
Have information about me and my involvement in the SMS4dads or SMS4DeadlyDads service kept secure and confidential
Give feedback
Provide feedback or make a complaint without it affecting the way that I am treated
Have my concerns addressed in a transparent and timely way
Share my experience and participate to improve the quality of SMS4dads or SMS4DeadlyDads services
SMS4dads began as a pilot research study in 2013 at the University of Newcastle. As SMS4dads received positive evaluations and participant responses it expanded and developed into service delivery model. It continues to be informed by ongoing research and maintains a close collaborative connection with University of Newcastle ethics.
SMS4dads is aligned with University of Newcastle service delivery and operations and continues to worth within the ethical guidelines, procedures and workplace standards.
This project has been approved by the University’s Human Research Ethics Committee, Approval No. H-2016-0292. Should there be an incident that occurs in relation to your interaction with the service, you have concerns about your rights as a participant or you have a complaint about the way it is conducted, it may be given to the researcher, or, if an independent person is preferred, to the Human Research Ethics Officer, Research Office, The Chancellery, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan NSW 2308, Australia, telephone (02) 49216333, email Human-Ethics@newcastle.edu.au.
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.