DadsWA: Hey Dad! Fatherhood For The First 12 Months

"DadsWA aims to raise the profile of post-natal depression in new fathers..."

While a great deal of emphasis is placed in managing the wellbeing of mothers after birth of their child, there is less emphasis given to what fathers need.

NGALA is a program based in Western Australia that helps up to 40,000 families a year to access help with children, advice and access to professionals.

The DadsWA program is embedded into the organisational culture of NGALA and so provides a good, working example of a service where male-friendliness is part of the culture.

NGALA describes the major objectives of DadsWA as "to work in close consultation and collaboration with other organisations to:

• Build a collective understanding of the unique and valued position of men in family life;
• Encourage agencies to be more inclusive of men within the ambit of their services; and
• Promote collaborative planning and partnerships around research and service provision to families with a particular focus on fatherhood issues.

Men and Post-Natal Depression

NGALA has collaborated with Beyond Blue to raise the profile of post-natal depression in new fathers through the DadsWA booklet and through media coverage.

Whether it arises through coping with a depressed partner or by having depression themselves, the increased focus on depression helps families through difficult times.