Focus on New Fathers pilot program

  • Registrations for the Focus on New Fathers pilot program closed 30 June 2021.
  • Dads who participated in the program will continue to receive messages until 31 December 2021.
  • The program will be evaluated by the Parenting Research Centre and the results will help inform how we support new dads and dads-to-be.
  • Western Sydney Local Health District had over 1200 new dads and dads-to-be register for this service.
  • Learn more about the Focus on New Fathers pilot program here.

focus on new fathers image

New dads and dads-to-be

The list below provides a number of reputable services and supports that you can access if you are looking for further dad education, advice, support and information:

SMS4dads
Fathers, Dads-to-be, Families & Health Professionals. Receive free text messages, support, info & tips – especially for dads & dads-to-be.

Preprare Foundation
At the PREPARE Foundation, our vision is to empower fathers to thrive in their fatherhood journey, creating a positive and lasting impact on their lives and the lives of their families. We believe that every father has the potential to be a confident, nurturing, and engaged parent, and we strive to provide the tools, resources, and support needed to make this vision a reality.

Dadvice
Developed by Beyond Blue, Dadvice contains videos, fact sheets, dad tips and advice. It also contains an interactive dad-stress tool plus a dad emotional health and wellbeing guide.

A guide for dads: caring for your family during perinatal mental illness
This is a NSW Health website resource for dads with information about how to take care of your baby, how to get support and how to give support.

Raising Children Network 
This website provides free, reliable, up-to-date and independent information to help families. There is a dedicated webpage for fathers that contains information about adjusting to fatherhood, how to support with breastfeeding, changing nappies, balancing life and work. It also contains information about antenatal and postnatal depression in men. Raising Children Network are supported by the Australian Government and all content is reviewed by professionals.

How is dad going? 
How is dad going? is an emotional and mental health support website resource developed by PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia). It has information for expecting dads, new dads and caring for your partner. It includes strategies about returning to work, roles at home and life work balance.

Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA)
PANDA supports women, men and families across Australia affected by anxiety and depression during pregnancy and in the first year of parenthood. PANDA operates Australia’s only National Helpline for individuals and their families to recover from perinatal anxiety and depression. PANDA National Helpline (Mon to Fri, 9am-7:30pm AEST/AEDT) call 1300 726 306.

Mensline
MensLine Australia is the national telephone and online support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns. The service is available from anywhere in Australia and is staffed by professional counsellors, experienced in men’s issues. Call: 1300 78 99 78

Download Support for New Dads and Dads-to-be poster 

Dad Support Services Poster