RSVP Cairns Workshop -

SMS4DeadlyDads is coming to Cairns to present a workshop for health services and community members.

We’d love you to join us for lunch followed by an interactive workshop at Wuchopperen Health Service.

Find out more about SMS4DeadlyDads and get involved in the development of new text messages and resources designed especially for dads when things don’t go to plan during pregnancy, birth or in the early stages of parenthood.

WHEN    Wednesday 6 December 2023

WHERE   Wuchopperen | 6 Moignard Street Bama House | Dreamtime Room

LUNCH   12pm-1pm

WORKSHOP  1pm to 4pm

RSVP  Form below

We can’t wait to meet you!

RSVP Cairns Workshop -

COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

In addition to the workshops for health professionals, we will be hosting a community consultation at Wuchopperen on Thursday 7 December.

Men, dads, pops, uncles and community leaders, along with their families, will be invited to join a discussion and to share insights from their lived experience of being a dad, supporting dads in their communities and the issues and challenges dads may face – especially if things don’t go to plan during a pregnancy or a soon after a baby is born.

DADS & COMMUNITY YARN UP

WHEN    3pm to 5pm Thursday 7 December 2023

WHERE   Wuchopperen | 6 Moignard Street Bama House | Dreamtime Room

RSVP  Uel Bani  |  07 4080 1106 |  Uel.Bani@wuchopperen.org.au

Come along and join in the conversation. Partners & bubs welcome.

RSVP Cairns Workshop -

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RSVP Cairns Workshop 6 December 2023

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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 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.