Support for Dads

Because you matter.

Fatherhood Can Be a Lot

There’s no single way to “be a dad”, but if you’ve found yourself trying to hold it together, hold space for your family, or hold emotions you were never shown how to express, you’re not alone.

This space is here for the real stuff. The love. The pressure. The frustration. The tenderness. The worry. And everything in between.

Whether you’re a hands-on stay-at-home dad, a FIFO worker, co-parenting, navigating a new baby or parenting teens, this space offers tools and connection for your role as a father, partner, and human.

Mental Health Support for Dads

Men are less likely to seek support, but no less deserving of it.

Some common challenges dads experience:

  • Postnatal depression and anxiety (yes, dads can get it too)

  • Feeling disconnected from the baby or parenting role

  • Identity changes and pressure to “provide”

  • Relationship strain or loss of intimacy

  • Difficulty expressing feelings or asking for help

  • Emotional shutdown, irritability, or burnout

If any of these feel familiar, you’re not broken. You’re human, and there’s support.

Dads mental health matters.

You don’t have to wait until it gets worse. Here are some great places to start:

Some podcasts I LOVE for dads

How other dads dad - with Hamish Blake and guest dads - talking all things fatherhood

Pop culture Parenting - with developmental paediatrician Dr Billy Garvey and fellow dad Nick - tackling topics with the use of popular 90s movies

The Imperfects - The Resilience Project Hugh van Cuylenburg, his good friend Ryan Shelton and brother Josh van Cuylenburg, talk to a variety of interesting people who vulnerably share their own struggles and imperfections

Being a Present, Emotionally Connected Dad

You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to show up.

Being a great dad doesn’t mean being perfect, it means being present.

This website and other posts will aim to support you with:

  • Tools to help your child through big feelings

  • Ways to co-regulate (even if you weren’t taught how)

  • Support for navigating rough days or partner conflict

  • Activities that create calm, playful connection

  • Tools for handling anger, shutdown or stress responses

For the Dads Who Didn’t Have a Model

If you’re learning this stuff as you go, breaking cycles, or trying to do better than what you experienced, know this:

  • It’s okay to be the first link in the chain.

  • It’s okay to say, “I’m learning.”

  • And it’s okay to feel overwhelmed by how much there is to unlearn.

You don’t have to get it right every time. You just have to keep coming back.

Tools for You

Designed for dads short on time and long on responsibility.

Here’s what you’ll find SOON in our support library:

  • Quick grounding strategies when you feel overwhelmed

  • Practical emotion scripts for your kids

  • Printables for bedtime, transitions, and meltdowns

  • Mental health check-ins made simple

  • Visual tools to help you explain feelings and behaviours

All tools are practical, research-backed, and no-nonsense.

No fluff. No guilt. Just support.

When You Need More Support

It’s strong to ask for help. Here are trusted Aussie services specifically for men and dads:

  • SMS4Dads – Free texts with tips and mental health prompts

  • DadSpace – Articles, groups, and real stories

  • PANDA – Perinatal mental health for mums and dads

  • Dads Group – Face-to-face groups across Australia

  • MensLine Australia – 1300 789 978 (24/7 professional phone support)

  • Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636

  • Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)

You’re Making a Difference

Even on the days it doesn’t feel like it, you matter.

You matter to your kids. To your family.

Your presence, your effort, your care, it all adds up.

You might not always feel confident in what you’re doing. But if you’re here, reading this, it means you care. And that’s what changes everything.

You’ve got this. And we’ve got your back.

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Support for Mums