Consulting With First Nations Communities to Develop Text-Based Support for Grieving Fathers.

Area of Science:

• Perinatal mental health
• Indigenous health outcomes
• Digital health interventions

Background:

• Perinatal loss causes significant grief for fathers.
• Indigenous fathers face higher rates of perinatal death and lack adequate support.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fathers require culturally tailored grief resources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To co-design culturally appropriate text-based support for grieving Indigenous fathers.
• To address the identified gap in support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fathers experiencing perinatal loss.
• To develop a confidential and accessible support system utilizing mobile technology.

Main Methods:

• A 2-year consultation process with Indigenous services and stakeholders in urban and remote Australia.
• Assessment of support needs for fathers following perinatal loss.
• Adaptation and evaluation of text messages, with final review by clinicians for optimal timing.

Main Results:

• Community representatives highlighted the need for father-specific support.
• The SMS4DeadlyDads service was positively received as a dedicated resource for fathers.
• The text messaging approach was recognized for its potential to offer confidential support for perinatal loss.
• Developed messages were deemed acceptable by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous stakeholders.

Conclusions:

• Respectful consultation led by Indigenous leaders is key to ensuring cultural safety.
• Community commitment can be gained for addressing sensitive topics like perinatal grief.
• The successful co-design demonstrates an effective model for supporting grieving Indigenous fathers.
• This initiative highlights the potential of digital health to improve Indigenous men's mental health outcomes.