Helping Dads to Work It Out

A panel of fathers, program facilitators, academics, and health professionals recently presented the results of a groundbreaking four-year study, ‘Working Out Dads: Strengthening Men’s Mental Health in Early Fatherhood.’

Led by Associate Professor Rebecca Giallo and Tweddle Child and Family Health Service, the research study included experts from Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the SEED Centre for Lifespan Research at Deakin University’s School of Psychology.

Working Out Dads History

In 2015, Tweddle identified a significant gap in support services for fathers during early parenthood. While extensive resources existed for new mothers, fathers often faced their own emotional, mental, and physical challenges with little structured assistance.

Determined to address this need, Tweddle developed Working Out Dads (WOD), an innovative program that provided a supportive space for fathers to connect, exercise, and discuss the realities of parenting.

Unlike existing models, this after-hours, structured, and facilitated program took place in a gym setting, integrating physical activity with practical strategies for managing stress, strengthening relationships, and building confidence in parenting.

Fast forward six years, 17 groups, 142 fathers, numerous conference presentations, and multiple journal publications, culminating in a major milestone. In 2022, Associate Professor Rebecca Giallo from Murdoch Children’s Research Institute was awarded a Commonwealth Government Medical Research Future Fund Million Minds Mission – Suicide Prevention grant to conduct a randomised controlled trial on Working Out Dads.

WOD Randomised Controlled Trial

With 296 fathers participating across 14 groups, the study aimed to rigorously evaluate the program’s impact and its role in suicide prevention for new fathers. Participants were randomly assigned to either the six-week Working Out Dads program or a brief 30-minute telephone conversation, ‘Talking About Being a Dad,’ with a Maternal and Child Health Nurse. Fathers were recruited from Merribek (Moreland), Stonnington, Casey, Wyndham, Geelong, and Bendigo.

Key Strength is Facilitation

A key strength of Working Out Dads is its skilled facilitation, ensuring that conversations flow naturally and participants feel heard. Despite differences in life stages, fathers found common ground in their shared need for support and meaningful dialogue. Many program participants have remained connected through in-person and online groups. One participant was so profoundly impacted that he pursued a career in nursing to support parents of young children. By normalising the challenges of fatherhood, providing practical strategies and resources, and reducing barriers to seeking help, Working Out Dads strengthens social connections and emotional resilience.

Meaningful Connections and Sharing Experiences

Working Out Dads fosters meaningful peer connections, enabling fathers to engage in open discussions, share experiences, and normalise their challenges. Key topics covered include managing stress, anxiety, and anger; balancing work and family; being present for their children; and prioritising health and well-being.

Feedback from program facilitators and participants underscored the program’s value. Facilitators noted that once given the opportunity, fathers were eager to open up about their struggles. Participants emphasised how sharing their experiences with mental health allowed others to do the same, fostering a supportive group dynamic.

Program facilitator Nathan Tarr highlighted that while sports role models influence children, a child’s primary role models are within their own home. Fathers in the program reflected on the importance of leading by example, through small, everyday actions such as taking their children to the park or getting down on the floor to play.

The program also demonstrated the power of group dynamics. While some participants were more reserved, the supportive environment encouraged them to engage over time. Vulnerable disclosures, such as experiences with mental health breakdowns or child loss, helped create a culture of trust and openness, enabling more fathers to share their own challenges.

Future Evaluation and Facilitation 

The Working Out Dads program is still in a research phase. We are grateful to Associate Professor Rebecca Giallo and the research teams from Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the SEED Centre for Lifespan Research at Deakin University’s School of Psychology.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the program, you can contact us on 03 9689 1577 or [email protected]