'Mind the Kids': an ACAMH podcast

Author: The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health

These podcasts are an invaluable resource for anyone interested in child and adolescent mental health. They bridge the gap between rigorous research and practical application, featuring expert discussions on mental health. Each episode highlights cutting-edge studies offering insights into findings, and implications for practice. The series caters to clinicians, researchers, and those interested in mental health. Available on major platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, its an accessible way to stay informed about advancements in the field. Visit our website for a host of free evidence-based mental health resources.
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Language: en

Genres: Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Science, Social Sciences

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S3 Ep5: Mind the Kids - Engaging Dads: The Power of Online Parenting Interventions
Episode 5
Tuesday, 9 September, 2025

In this episode of Mind The Kids, host Mark Tebbs speaks with Dr. Lucy Tully and Dr. Simon Rice about the development and impact of "Family Man," an innovative, online, father-inclusive parenting program designed to reduce child conduct problems. Findings can be found in ACAMH’s Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry – JCPP - ‘An online, father-inclusive parenting intervention for reducing child conduct problems: a randomised controlled trial of family man’ https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.14068 Dr. Tully, a senior lecturer and clinical researcher, shares her passion for early intervention in child mental health and her commitment to making evidence-based parenting support accessible. She highlights a key gap in the field: most parenting programs are designed for and tested with mothers, leaving fathers underrepresented and under-engaged. The conversation explores the barriers fathers face in accessing traditional parenting programs—such as cost, work commitments, lack of awareness, and persistent gender stereotypes—and how Family Man was purpose-built to address these issues. Developed in partnership with the Movember Institute, Family Man is a brief, self-directed, animated program that uses humor and relatable scenarios to engage fathers (and mothers) in learning effective strategies for managing children’s challenging behaviors. A randomized controlled trial found that parents who completed Family Man reported significant improvements in their child’s conduct, parenting practices, and family wellbeing—benefits that were sustained over time and equally experienced by both mothers and fathers. The program’s online, accessible format and father-focused branding were key to its success. Dr. Rice emphasizes the importance of policy changes to support father involvement, such as better paternity leave and organizational practices that actively engage dads. Both guests call for ongoing research, longer-term follow-up, and a cultural shift to make father engagement "core business" in child mental health. Listeners are encouraged to try Family Man for free, regardless of whether they have concerns about their child’s behavior, and to share the resource widely. This episode is essential for parents, practitioners, and anyone interested in advancing inclusive, accessible, and effective support for families.