Triple P parenting experts encourage dads to ask for help during Men’s Health Week

In honour of Men’s Health Week (13-19 June) Triple P parenting is encouraging dads to “be brave and break down the barriers to seeking help,” so that their children can “reap the rewards of a happy, healthy parent.”

 

Alan Ralph, Triple P International Head of Training and Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at The University of Queensland, said that fathers and father-figures are experiencing increased levels of anxiety and stress due to the compounding nature of the pandemic, natural disasters, and cost of living, which in-turn, impact their family relationships.

 

“Balancing work and family, changes in employment, and financial strain are having a significant impact on the mental health and wellbeing of both parents and children,” Dr Ralph said.

 

By being open about these struggles and accessing support, Dr Ralph continues, dads are 

better able to provide children with a positive and loving home where they can strengthen their emotional resilience and thrive.

 

“Men’s Health Week is a great time to not only check-in on your mental and physical health but also how you’re feeling in your role as a father and if you need some parenting tools to support your child’s long-term success,” he added.

 

By taking time to take care of their own mental health, fathers are better positioned to respond to children’s behaviour in sensitive ways, which in turn means children are more likely to develop good language, social and relationship skills.

 

“Talking about our own mental health and struggles as parent can be hard – and that’s normal. The Triple P Positive Parenting Program helps dads understand that they’re not alone and provides practical strategies to help them raise confident and resilient children,” Dr Ralph said. 

 

Triple P’s Top Five Tips to Breaking Down the Dad Barrier

 

• Seek out support and resources to give you the tools that best suit your needs as a parent.

• Take care of your own mental health and wellbeing and do things you enjoy.

• Share your fatherhood journey with your family – a great reminder of why you became a father in the first place, plus children love hearing stories involving them.

• Spend quality time with your child listening to what they have to say, playing with them, sharing a joke (or two!), and hugging them to show you love them.

• Create positive family memories by being present and taking the time to smile, laugh and enjoy everyday things with your family.

 

“We all want our children to grow up safe and feeling loved and cared for.  Dads will find there’s lots of easy to use and proven strategies for guiding their children’s development in calm and supportive ways,” Dr Ralph said.

 

For more Triple P parenting support and information, visit www.triplep-parenting.net.au