Overjoyed or overwhelmed? Free app gives new dads in Devon everything they need to know
An innovative new app is being launched across Devon on Monday 4 March 2019 to support new dads and their partners.
DadPad is an essential guide for new dads and has been co-produced with new fathers, the NHS and developed and built by Julian Bose from Inspire Cornwall CIC.
The project is jointly-funded by NHS England’s perinatal mental health development fund, Devon Partnership NHS Trust, Livewell Southwest CIC and NHS NEW Devon Clinical Commissioning Group.
The app is available to download now and is aimed at fathers-to-be and new fathers across Devon.
DadPad is a practical guide, designed to enable new dads and partners to gain the confidence and skills necessary to being a new parent - and to help them learn how they can take care of their own mental health and emotional wellbeing while raising a child.
Clare McAdam, Perinatal Services Manager at Devon Partnership NHS Trust, says: “New dads and partners of new mums will usually feel excited at the prospect of being a parent, but may also experience feeling unsure or overwhelmed with the amount of information they need to know.
“DadPad can help by giving knowledge and practical skills that will support them – as well as giving them increased confidence that they are doing the right things. It’s a great new resource that can support dads, partners and new mums to give their baby the best possible start in life.”
The app features:
• Antenatal key stages
• Antenatal and postnatal mental health – links to local and national services and information
• Signs and symptoms of mental health concerns, both before and after birth – what to look out for.
Tracy Clasby, Head of Children Young People and Families Services at Livewell Southwest, said: “We’re delighted to have been involved in developing the DadPad online resource. It is full of helpful advice and will be a valuable resource for men and families. Through co-production we learnt that men worry about how to bond with their baby, how to support new mums and how to adapt to their new responsibilities. It’s normal to have those concerns, and DadPad is brilliant, providing information not just about caring for baby but also about caring for each other as parents.
“It’s a perfect fit with our goal of helping to create and support healthy communities, and building strong families to give children the best possible start in life.”
Lin Walton, Mental Health Commissioning Manager for NHS NEW Devon CCG, concludes: “This is a really exciting development for new parents in Devon. The NHS Long Term Plan has identified the need to better support not only the mental health of new mothers, but also of the partners of women experiencing poor perinatal mental health.
“This app goes a step further in offering early help and support to all new dads and partners, not just those whose partners are under the care of mental health services. It offers convenient and easily accessible support and advice to people who may be unable to attend appointments and can help them identify when they need to seek extra support for their partner, with the aim of also making them feel less isolated or alone.”
Download the app:
Once downloaded type in any Devon postcode and choose the Devon or Plymouth area you want to see: www.thedadpad.co.uk/app
