Dad Space, Melbourne (2025)

26/07/2025

🌱 Investing in the earliest years to build a brighter future 🌱

Becoming a parent is huge—beautiful, exhausting, and everything in between. If you’re expecting or have a new baby, or you’re a health professional supporting families, PIRI’s free, evidence-based programs are here for you.

At the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI), we translate world‑class research on perinatal depression and anxiety into practical tools that fit real lives. Our stepped-care suite lets parents move between levels of support as needs change—so help is flexible, timely, and effective. Improving a baby’s early environment can boost brain and emotional development for life. Let’s give every child the best start.

👉 Explore PIRI’s treatment programs (free & evidence-based): https://www.piri.org.au/piris-treatment-programs/

23/07/2025

Dads, your journey matters. 👶✨

Becoming a father is an incredible ride, full of highs, lows, surprises, and sweet moments. Want to know you’re not alone? Check out real stories from Aussie dads who’ve walked in your shoes, learned the hard lessons, and celebrated the wins. ☕️🎧

Got a story of your own? We want to hear it! Share your experience to help other dads feel seen, supported, and ready for whatever parenthood throws at them.

🔗 Read & share: https://www.dadspace.com.au/dad-stories/

07/07/2025

🌐 Digital Mental Health in Perinatal Care: Supporting Families Anytime, Anywhere 💙

At the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI), we're transforming how parents are supported during the critical perinatal period—through pregnancy and the first 1000 days after birth.

Our evidence-based, nationally accredited programs like MumMoodBooster and DadBooster provide accessible, effective support for women, men and clinicians—anytime, anywhere. These digital tools complement face-to-face care, helping overcome barriers like time, distance, and stigma.

🔹 Can be used to complement existing supports, or when access to face-to-face services is limited.
🔹 Proven effective in scientific studies and has been shown to be as effective as face-to-face psychology treatment.
🔹 Tailored support for both mums and dads: Helping reduce isolation, improve emotional wellbeing, and strengthen parenting roles.
🔹 Clinician integration: Tools like the Clinician Portal enable timely, coordinated care.

Digital care doesn't replace clinicians—it amplifies their impact. Together, we’re building a stronger, more responsive mental health system for families across Australia. 💛

📥 Learn more and download our digital mental health flier: https://piri.au/digital-health

25/06/2025

📣 As we near the end of the financial year, it’s the perfect time to give with impact.

Every year, 90,000 Australian parents are diagnosed with perinatal mental illness. At PIRI, we’re committed to supporting parents and strengthening early relationships during the crucial early years of life.

Your donation helps fund research and develop evidence-based programs that improve the wellbeing of mothers, fathers, infants, and families across the country.

🌱 No gift is too small. All donations over $2 are tax-deductible.

Make your EOFY gift today and help us build a brighter future from the very beginning.

👉 Donate now https://piri.au/donate-now

16/06/2025

📅 International Fathers’ Mental Health Day, 16 June 2025
Theme: Strong Foundations – Dads Matter from Day One

🧠 Fathers’ mental health matters, for everyone.

While the transition to parenthood is often filled with joy, it can also be a time of stress and challenge. Dads, just like mums, go through major emotional and lifestyle changes, and some may experience perinatal depression or anxiety. It’s time we recognised that fathers need support too.

Research shows that a father’s mental health can have a lasting impact on their baby’s development, their relationships, and the wellbeing of the whole family.

At the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI), we’re committed to supporting dads through this journey. That’s why we created DadBooster, a world-first, evidence-based, online program designed specifically for new fathers experiencing depression or anxiety.

DadBooster is free, government-funded, nationally accredited, and available via DadSpace, a dedicated website full of tools, strategies, and support for dads.

Let’s support dads. Let’s build strong families. Let’s start from day one.

🔗 Learn more: www.dadspace.com.au

04/05/2025

👨‍👧‍👦 Supporting Dads Matters

Last week, Jennifer Ericksen from PIRI presented DadBooster at the Australian Fatherhood Research Consortium Symposium — and the response was fantastic.

DadBooster is a world-first, evidence-based online program designed to support new fathers experiencing depression and anxiety. With national accreditation and new funding, we’re now moving into the implementation phase — expanding our reach and impact across Australia.

Too often, dads are left out of the perinatal mental health conversation. We’re changing that. Because supporting dads means stronger families, healthier relationships, and better outcomes for babies. 💙

https://www.piri.org.au/programs/dadbooster-online-treatment/

25/04/2025

🧠💛 On 23 April 2025, we acknowledged the fourth World Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Day.

At the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI), we know that mental health starts early — and that supporting parents and babies in the first months and years of life builds a strong foundation for lifelong wellbeing.

This year’s theme, “Bridging Worlds: Mental Health Support for Displaced Children and Families,” highlights the importance of culturally responsive and trauma-informed care for families affected by crisis, displacement, or disadvantage.

PIRI stands alongside global organisations and professionals in promoting inclusion, reducing stigma, and strengthening care for infants, children, adolescents — and the families who support them.

Let’s continue to create a world where every child, no matter their circumstances, has the opportunity to thrive. 💬💛

18/03/2025

Postnatal depression isn't just a condition experienced by mothers—it can affect fathers too. Around one in ten fathers experience postnatal depression, yet it is often overlooked. Just like mothers, fathers undergo significant life changes after the birth of a child, which can include disturbed sleep, increased responsibilities, and changes in their relationship with their partner. These stressors can contribute to postnatal depression in men.

Unfortunately, because men are less likely to seek help and the condition is often dismissed, it remains underdiagnosed. Symptoms in men may include irritability, withdrawal from social situations, lack of confidence in parenting, and even alcohol abuse.

Fathers who are at higher risk often have a history of depression, financial difficulties, or a partner with postnatal depression. It's crucial that fathers are encouraged to seek support to prevent the condition from impacting their mental health and family life.

Read the full story here: https://www.unicef.org/eca/stories/can-men-get-postnatal-depression

At the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI), we’re proud to support fathers in their mental health journey, especially as we see more recognition of the challenges dads face in the perinatal period. With the recent funding secured by PIRI, DadBooster is expanding its reach, offering world-first online treatment for paternal postnatal depression.

This innovative nationally accredited program, which has been rigorously tested and proven effective, is designed to fill the gap in support for fathers—a group often overlooked in discussions about postnatal depression. If you're a dad experiencing these challenges, DadBooster provides the support you need, ensuring that no father is left behind in their mental health journey.

Find out more at https://www.dadspace.com.au/

18/03/2025

A recent study into fatherhood sheds light on the challenges new dads face, particularly around dad guilt and passenger parenting. Many fathers feel "ridiculously unprepared" for the transition into parenthood and struggle with the balance between being present for their family while also juggling work commitments.

Dad guilt arises when fathers feel torn between their professional responsibilities and being there for their partners and children. The study also highlights the issue of passenger parenting, where dads feel sidelined in early parenting roles, often due to societal expectations or practical reasons. These emotional struggles can linger for years, adding complexity to the already challenging journey of fatherhood.

If you’re a father experiencing similar challenges, the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI) has developed DadSpace to offer you support.

The DadBooster program, designed specifically for dads, provides evidence-based online therapy to help you navigate the complexities of fatherhood. Whether you're dealing with dad guilt, adjusting to new roles, or managing your mental health, DadBooster offers tools and strategies to support your journey. Don't face the challenges of fatherhood alone—take the first step towards better mental health with DadBooster today.

Read the full story here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-18/fatherhood-dad-guilt-pasenger-parenting/105036210

Visit Dad Space here: https://www.dadspace.com.au/

07/03/2025

🌸 Celebrating International Women's Day 🌸

International Women's Day (March 8) is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It's also a call to action for accelerating women's equality. 💪

With over a century of history, IWD has grown from its first gathering in 1911, supported by over a million people, to a day that belongs to all groups collectively, everywhere. It’s not country, group, or organization-specific—it's a global movement. 🌍

At the Parent-Infant Research Institute (PIRI), we’ve been dedicated to supporting women’s emotional and mental health for over 22 years. We are proud to offer accredited digital mental health programs that meet the rigorous standards set by the National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health Standards, ensuring high-quality, evidence-based support for families. 💚

Whether you’re expecting or adjusting to life with your little one, you’re not alone. We’re here to support your perinatal mental health with trusted resources.

🌐 Find out more at https://www.mumspace.com.au/

05/03/2025

💡 DadSpace Blog: Support for Dads, Every Step of the Way

Dads, we see you. 💙 You’re expected to be strong, to have all the answers—but fatherhood is tough, and it’s okay to need support.

The DadSpace Blog is here to help. From parenting tips to mental health resources, we’re sharing real advice for real dads—because you don’t have to do this alone.

🔗 Read more: www.dadspace.com.au/blog

03/03/2025

👨‍👧‍👦 Dad Stories: Real Experiences from Fathers Like You

Becoming a dad is life-changing—exciting, challenging, and everything in between. Whether you're navigating fatherhood for the first time or adding to your family, you're not alone.

At DadSpace, real dads share their stories—the highs, the struggles, and the lessons learned along the way. Their experiences can help you feel supported, inspired, and more prepared for the journey ahead.

📖 Read their stories here: www.dadspace.com.au/dad-stories

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26/07/2025

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