When I got the news: Research to support Aboriginal fathers through inclusion

Fathers are much less likely to seek support or professional help when they experience social and emotional wellbeing or mental health challenges. Yet we know that health outcomes are much better for children when couples attend perinatal services with family systems approaches.  

In this episode, we are joined by Zaccariah Cox, the Manager for Social and Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health at Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS), and Erica Spry, Senior Aboriginal Research Officer at KAMS and a research fellow at the University of Western Australia. The episode explores the changing roles of Aboriginal fathers, and how curiosity and inclusion of fathers can improve perinatal support for children and mothers. The conversation is informed by what Erica and Zac heard when speaking with expecting and new fathers in rural and remote Western Australia. 

Erica and Zac speak about the importance of extended family and kinship networks for Aboriginal fathers. They discuss some of the challenges that dads experience, including consistent and clear language from practitioners and service providers, and the difficulties in supporting mothers through pregnancy in remote locations. Erica calls on practitioners to be curious about fathers’ individual needs – not based on assumptions or stereotypes but on curiosity and cultural safety – and to honour fathers’ individual hopes, roles and responsibilities in the antenatal period.

In this episode, you will learn about:

• the importance of fathers in the circle of support during the perinatal period [08:59] 

• how practitioners can apply curiosity to understand cultural roles and responsibilities and support fathers without bias [13:05] 

• how parenting provides an opportunity for fathers to reflect on their own childhood experiences and the hopes they have for their children [15:06] 

• getting to know your local community and context to support your relationships with fathers [25:28] 

• why Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) should be included in the provision of care during the perinatal period [24:42] 

Further information and resources:

“When I got the news”: Aboriginal fathers in the Kimberley region yarning about their experience of the antenatal period (research article in Health Promotion Journal of Australia) 

Rebuilding our shields: Sharing the stories of deadly dads (Emerging Minds online course) 

Stories of deadly dads: How Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fathers keep strong (Emerging Minds resource)