SMS4dads, Newcastle, NSW Videos

HCP working with dads
“Dads are being looked at more than ever.” We spoke with Health Care Professionals to find out about their perspectives on working with new dads and dads-to-be. The feedback we received was very positive. One of the biggest takeaways is that dads are being looked at more than ever during the perinatal phase and that health care professionals are keen to engage with dads to ensure they are involved and included from the get-go. SMS4dads.com.au

Involvement
Family and parenting services traditionally aimed at mums are engaging directly with dads now more than ever. SMS4dads was created to speak to dads via their mobile phones – offering support, encouragement and information as they transition into dadhood. SMS4dads is a free service and is available to all dads across Australia. In addition to the general message set, SMS4dads delivers tailored messages to; 〰️ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dads 〰️ dads whose partner experiences mental health distress/anxiety 〰️ and dads who experience the loss of their baby or pregnancy With ongoing Federal Government recently announced along with continuing partnerships with Red Nose and PANDA, SMS4dads is continuing on their path to change the landscape for how we talk with and support dads in the lead up to and after the birth of a baby. Acknowledgement of the importance and benefits of including dads in the perinatal phase has at last gained traction. SMS4dads is continuing to work towards more equal involvement of dads and to celebrate the powerful role dads play in the journey of parenthood. For more information about the SMS4dads and SMS4DeadlyDads service visit: SMS4dads.com

Benefits of SMS4dads
“To get a text message on your phone saying, ‘Hi dad, I should be smiling at you in the next week or two’ You’ve just got that heads up, so you know what to look for.” When we surveyed dads about the benefits of SMS4dads, the stats were outstanding. 91% agreed that ‘SMS4dads helped me support my partner during her pregnancy and the birth’. 88% agreed that ‘SMS4dads texts helped me to get ready for being a dad’. What are some of the benefits you’ve received since joining up? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below. Or Like/Comment/Share our Instagram and pages to let other dads know about the free text message service for new and expecting dads.

Dane Gagai caught up with SMS4dads about the joys and challenges of being a father and how important it is to have support and resources like SMS4DeadlyDads.
Dane Gagai caught up with SMS4dads about the joys and challenges of being a father and how important it is to have support and resources like SMS4DeadlyDads. “The journey for me as a father has been awesome. Knowing what to do… what not to do… I think it was just like we were figuring it out as we went along. Raising kids isn’t easy. Like I said, it’s the best thing in the world but you want to make sure that you have as much support as you can around you. Having SMS4dads would be a massive benefit I believe for anyone that needs a bit of help.” For more information check out SMS4DeadlyDads.com Red Nose Australia

〰️ Fatherhood & Fatigue 〰️
〰️ Fatherhood & Fatigue 〰️ Dismissing new fathers’ sleep challenges in early parenthood may lead to serious work accidents and other adverse consequences. Hear from Dr Trent Watson and Dr Stephen Knipe who talk share their insights into fatherhood and fatigue. With special thanks to Dr Trent Watson, PhD BHSc (N&D) GAICD | CEO & Accredited Practising Dietitian & Dr Stephen Knipe BSc (Hons), MBChB, FRACP Paediatrician We’re keen to hear from dads about their experience of fatherhood and fatigue. How did you manage? What was the return to work like? What do you wish you had done differently? 📧 [email protected] For tips and info on managing fatherhood and fatigue visit: https://www.sms4dads.com.au/for-dads/tips-and-info/fatherhood-and-fatigue/ Parents At Work

SMS4DeadlyDads is proud to announce their new partnership with Awabakal. Awabakal is the leading medical provider in the Hunter delivering culturally-appropriate primary health care services, advocacy and social and emotional support to Aboriginal people and their families. Awabakal supports families with the arrival of over 50 new babies each year. Dads and their partners who birth their babies or receive perinatal services from any of Awabakal’s four medical centres will receive a DeadlyDads pack full of information and tools specifically for new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dads. The packs aim to celebrate the arrival of a new baby and acknowledge dads in their role as fathers. SMS4DeadlyDads and Awabakal Health Service – working in partnership to support families and communities. More info on the partnership is available on our website https://www.sms4dads.com.au/deadly-dads-awabakal/ Awabakal Ltd

〰️ SMS4DeadlyDads Healing Through Community 〰️
〰️ SMS4DeadlyDads Healing Through Community 〰️ Recently, Wuchopperen Health Service hosted the SMS4dads team to run a workshop with First Nations and Health Service representatives from Cairns and the Torres Strait. The focus of the workshop was to seek input around the content of text messages and support for First Nations men in the event of pregnancy loss or stillbirth. The response and engagement in the workshop was extremely very positive! 🙂 “I can really see the importance of the program and the tools that you’re using to connect with dads – particularly for dads who are feeling anxious about becoming a parent or dads who are a bit unsure or may not be confident in their parenting style. I can really see the value of it (SMS4DeadlyDads) and how we can get that messaging out to dads and even our young men.” - Rachel Ham, Deputy CEO Wuchopperen We are continuing to gather feedback from health professionals and parents in communities in other States and Territories to ensure the messages hit the mark with dads. If you have lived experience of the loss of a pregnancy/baby or work with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander parents who have this experience – we’d love to hear from you to find out your thoughts about the messages in development. To get involved or find out more contact: 📧 [email protected] The development of SMS4DeadlyDads messages for First Nations men in the event of pregnancy loss or stillbirth is a partnership project with Red Nose. To stay in the loop with the development of this project visit: 💻 https://www.sms4dads.com.au/healing-through-community/ Red Nose Australia

Supporting Each Other
The impacts of becoming a new parent can affect relationships and put additional strains on both parents’ mental health. There are some practical things dads can do if their partner is experiencing perinatal mental distress. For mums experiencing perinatal anxiety or depression, strong practical support from their partner can significantly improve their recovery. Here are four areas where dads can offer support to their partner if they are experiencing symptoms of anxiety and/or depression 〰️ Emotional Support 〰️ Companionship 〰️ Functional Support 〰️ Help-seeking Check out our blog post for more info ‘When Things Get Tough’: https://www.sms4dads.com.au/for-dads/tips-and-info/when-things-get-tough/

SMS4dads has created a set of special messages for dads with a baby/babies in the NICU.
SMS4dads has created a set of special messages for dads with a baby/babies in the NICU. 'Having a resource like SMS4dads kind of enforces that you’re not alone’. SMS4dads partnered with Miracle Babies and Life’s Little Treasures Foundations to get people with lived experience involved. Dads and mums told us what would have helped them cope with their time in the NICU or Special Care Nursery. The messages are based on what they told us. If you know of a new dad who is currently spending time in NICU, please let them know about the SMS4dads in NICU text message set. https://www.sms4dads.com/v4/w1

SMS4dads New Message Set
SMS4dads New Message Set are designed especially for dads when things don’t go to plan. The new SMS4dads messages provide specific support for: 〰️ Dads with a baby in NICU. The text messages speak to any dad with a baby or babies in NICU / SCN and can be received for up to 7 weeks. Messages are sent daily and aim to help dads adjust to the NICU environment by giving useful information, valuable tips, and advice. SMS4dads sought feedback and input from professionals and parents with lived experience of the NICU to ensure that messages were interpreted as clear, helpful, and credible. 〰️ Dads who experience the loss of a pregnancy or baby. The messages begin after a dad indicated there has been a pregnancy loss or their baby has passed away. If dads are not already enrolled in SMS4dads when they experience a loss, they can sign up to receive grief and loss messages directly via Red Nose Australia The grief and loss messages include an occasional message to check in on how the dad is going (Mood-Checker Message). If a dad indicates he is not coping, he is offered additional support via further texts and a phone call back from a specialist health worker who has experience working with dads following the loss of a pregnancy or miscarriage. Dads can reply to any message to let us know of any changes to their situation, to opt out, or to give feedback about that message. 〰️ Dads whose partner experiences perinatal mental distress. For fathers whose partners experience perinatal depression and/or anxiety Fathers who experience these situations face a very difficult time and how they manage these challenges impacts on every member of the family. SMS4dads provides tailer-made content for dads when things don’t go to plan. To learn more, head to this link - https://www.sms4dads.com.au/for-professionals/when-things-dont-go-to-plan/

Text messages for dads whose partner might be experiencing PND What are the symptoms and why get support?
SMS4dads recently spoke with Rickie Elliot – Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of experience. Rickie is a specialist in the field of Perinatal and Infant Mental Health. She knows only too well that dads are essential for family mental health. Dr Elliot lays out the signs to look for and underlines how important the support is that mums get from dads. SMS4dads is a proud partner of Perinatal Mental Health Week who are shining a light on this important topic. We are glad to see a growing recognition of dads, their role and impact, and an acknowledgement of the challenges that both parents face in the transition to parenthood. A massive thank you to Dr. Rickie Elliot of Soar Psychology Centre. ☺️

Dads, you’re rewriting the rules and making an impact!
From being more active in the birth scenario, to actively seeking ways to support your partner, your hands-on approach is reshaping parenting, and in such a positive light. Of course, being an expectant or new dad means learning on the go. We’ve put together some resources with tips and info, along with some video clips of other dads and their partners sharing their experiences of parenthood. Check it out - https://www.sms4dads.com.au/for-dads/tips-and-info/

Happy Father’s Day! Today, we celebrate the wonderful journey that is fatherhood. We recently had the privilege of speaking to some incredible dads about the Joys of Fatherhood, and what we discovered is truly heartwarming. It’s the small moments that shine the brightest in each day — the infectious laughter, the tight hugs, and the pure wonder. A new perspective to life. A journey filled with growth and learning. Whether you’re a new or soon-to-be dad, SMS4dads is here to helps fathers understand and connect with their baby and partner. It also checks in on their wellbeing and offers professional support if needed. We acknowledge that sometimes things don’t go to plan. SMS4dads has extended its service to include additional message sets to support dads through this time.

Thank you for for joining us as we “drummed it up for dads” at the recent launch of SMS4dads new message sets. The bottom line was loud and clear – dads are important and directly influence the outcomes for both bub and mum – and require specific, targeted support to navigate the transition into fatherhood. We are delighted with the response from the launch and the overwhelmingly positive feedback about the SMS text service which now includes additional message sets… especially for dads when things don’t go to plan during a pregnancy or after birth. SMS4dads PANDA Red Nose Australia Lifes Little Treasures Miracle Babies Foundation Tresillian Early Parenting Emma McBride MP Dads Group Woodlock · Official Music National Rural Health Alliance The University of Newcastle, Australia Dane Simpson

As Perinatal Mental Health Week wraps up, we wanted to share this message from Karstan And Maxine Thank you all for joining us as we delved into some extremely important topics around perinatal mental health and the journey through parenthood. Visit www.sms4dads.com.au to join up!

Entries are open until July 22, 2022 for our Deadly New Dads Video Competition. Are you a soon-to-be-dad or have a bub under 12 months old? Here’s your chance to win $3,000! Soon-to-be and new First Nations dads are invited to submit a short video (under 2 minutes) showcasing what they love about being or becoming a new dad. WHAT SHOULD YOUR VIDEOS BE ABOUT? There are two themes to choose from to base your video content on: 〰️ CATEGORY ONE - Soon-To-Be Dads (expecting fathers). OR 〰️ CATEGORY TWO - Dads & Their Bubs (for new dads with a baby under 1 year old). Don’t miss out – total prize pool of $10,000! The Deadly New Dads Video Comp is proudly supported by Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet & SMS4dads.

DeadlyDadspromo_16x9
Entries are now open until July 22, 2022 for our 'Deadly New Dads Video Competition'! Soon-to-be and new First Nations dads are invited to submit a short video (under 2 minutes) showcasing what they love about being or becoming a new dad. There are two themes to choose from to base your video content on: 〰️ Soon-To-Be Dads (expecting fathers). OR 〰 Dads & Their Bubs (for new dads with a baby under 1 year old). The Deadly New Dads Video Comp is proudly supported by Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet & SMS4dads! https://www.sms4dads.com.au/deadly-dads/

NINE NBN NEWS PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH WEEK STORY
SMS4dads on NBN News – providing info & support to new parents across Australia. Thanks again to Roy, Steph, and the star of the show – little baby William, for sharing your story. SMS4dads is a proud partner of @perinatalmentalhealthweek – helping to raise awareness of the issues and challenges new parents face in accessing support. "Absolutely loved meeting Roy, Steph, and baby William today – such an important experience to share, to help other parents feel like they’re not alone and that there is help out there." - Madison Scott, NBN News Reporter 'It was my absolute pleasure to be involved. It's a great cause. Can't lie – it was a proud moment to see our little boy's face on the TV. Once again, thank you for everything." - Roy, dad of William

SMS4Dads on NBN News tonight @ 6pm! Tune in to hear the difference @sms4dads is making to the parenting experience of a young family. The story recognises the role that SMS4dads is playing in supporting dads (and their partners) perinatal mental health. SMS4dads was invited to showcase our program to coincide with today’s theme for @pmhweek - ‘Dad’s & Non-Birthing Partners’. BIG THANKS to Roy, Steph, and baby William - and to Reporter Madi Scott and Cameraman Jake from @nbnnews