SMS4PAPAS

While such support can enhance the psychological well-being of men, it aIso contributes to the broader objective of optimizing their ability to effectively support their families. Unfortunately, existing support services far struggling fathers are limited, and there is a notable absence of interventions specifically designed to support fathers from pregnancy to early childhood. Fathers often feel marginalized and unacknowledged by health professionals, exacerbating the challenge.
Traditional in-person father involvement approaches face limitations in reach and capacity, often failing to engage fathers early and effectively recruit those with the greatest need. Innovative approaches are thus essential to effectively engage men during their transition to fatherhood. One promising program is the Australian-developed SMS4Dads, a text-based intervention providing short messages (SMS) to fathers’ mobile phones, three times per week across the perinatal period, addressing father—infant attachment, fathers’ relationship with and support of the baby’s mother and his own mental well-being.