Removing the Stigma of Mental Health Support for Fathers: Community Connects with DAY1DADS

This time on Community Connects, Marissa Reckmann, CEO at, AGAT Laboratories is joined by Curtis Alexander, Co-Founder at DAY1DADS and Graham Spray, Director of Geoscience at, AGAT Laboratories, to talk about fatherhood and mental health support in a special Father’s Day episode.

While DAY1DADS’ vision is simple — how do we create a unique place for dads seeking mental health support and remove the stigma of asking for help? — their task ahead is complex. But through unique partnerships and initiatives to amplify their message, they’re starting to see change.

“Society has created this stigma around fatherhood that fathers aren’t involved, they’re under a lot of pressure, and they tuck in some of the stresses,” says Alexander[KM2] . “We wanted to create a brave space.

“People think it’s faux pas, they don’t want to talk about it [mental health]. They’re uncomfortable talking about it. So our goal is to create that space where we can.”

Part of DAY1DADS focus has been their Hey Dad Care Card, a business-like card featuring a QR code which links to a handpicked list of helpful resources for fathers seeking mental health support.

“We’re about communicating, and being the conduit for that information,” says Alexander.

“Dads need to hear it [to seek support] on all different levels. We need to hear it from our work. We need to hear it from our wives, our partners. As well as from other dads.”