Gold Coast dad Craig Brennan has created a new app, Newbe, just for dads

Fatherhood can be a lonely time, but this Gold Coast dad has found a way to harness the power of “hundreds of fathers”. Read what he has planned

To all the fathers and father figures out there, happy dad’s day. Or is it?

While women receive the motherlode of parental support, and rightly so, let’s hear it for all those dads struggling to do their best.

Because, unfortunately for fathers, the struggle is real.

Research shows that about one in five fathers will experience a mental health problem during pregnancy and the first year after birth, while one in 10 will experience depression.

The Australian Government’s Department of Health and Aged Care recognises these risk factors, stating that new fathers don’t have access to the sort of services that new mothers do. They don’t tend to see their doctor, maternal and child health nurse or midwife, which is where problems are often picked up in women.

Meanwhile, a survey from the Movember Foundation found that one-quarter of new dads felt isolated and three-quarters admitted their stress levels spiked in the first year of fatherhood.

One in five men said they lost close friends within a year of becoming a father.

But Gold Coast father Craig Brennan is giving dads a reason to smile … or at least breathe a sigh of relief.

Gold Coast dad Craig Brennan has created a new app just for dads. Part social network, part advice resource, Newbe aims to make a difference for dads who are struggling with mental health, loneliness or just wondering what the heck to do as a new father. Picture Glenn Hampson

Along with co-founder Brett Furnell, Mr Brennan is launching homegrown app Newbe on Father’s Day, a platform designed just for dads.

Part social network, part advice resource, Mr Brennan said the free app combined advanced AI with human connection to provide personalised advice and community support for new fathers.

“I think there’s been a big societal change and men really want to be involved dads more than ever,” said Mr Brennan, who previously worked in the affordable housing space.

“Most of the information that’s out there is directed at mothers, and understandably so, but I think there’s a real hunger for more knowledge, information and support.

“It’s never been more important to have strong family support around you and men need and want to be involved, we want to help that happen. We think what we’ve created is something really unique and special.

“We also want to help men help each other. Mental health and loneliness can be a real problem, for men in general but especially fathers, and one of the simplest ways to help is build connection.

“The bond that new mothers often build with each other is crucial to so many and, while that has started to happen to an extent with dads, we wanted to create something on a larger scale that would connect men and also answer their questions.”

Mr Brennan said, while he had been thinking about the concept for years, he and Mr Furnell had spent 18 months creating the app while still working at their day jobs.

He said it was advances in AI that made him realise his idea could finally become a reality.

“I think AI was the real game-changer,” he said.

“We have trained our system with a lot of empathy and understanding, and of course recognition of when it’s time to direct the user to appropriate medical care, so that any question can be asked at any time and the user will get an informed, non-judgemental and immediate answer.

“Of course, we don’t want people to post a question and it’s only a bot answering. Newbe is a real blend of AI and community.

“The first response to a question asked at 2am might be from AI, but the community will contribute as well so you can crowdsource the right response for you. You’ll have the power of hundreds of fathers.

“AI is important but it’s the human element that will make this a success.”

Gold Coast dad Craig Brennan has created a new app just for dads. Part social network, part advice resource, Newbe aims to make a difference for dads who are struggling with mental health, loneliness or just wondering what the heck to do as a new father. Picture Glenn Hampson

Mr Brennan said his Burleigh Heads base was the perfect place to create the new app.

He said, not only was the area full of fathers, it was a hot spot for AI-based tech start-ups.

“There really is something in this community — hopefully it won’t be long before we see our first unicorns and really capitalise on that Silicon Valley vibe,” he said.

“The Gold Coast as a whole is just a great place to start a business. I’s always been blessed with that entrepreneurial spirit.”

While Mr Brennan’s own daughters are now aged 19 and 22, he said he could still remember the fog of confusion that enveloped his first years as a father.

He said, even though paternity leave was far from common two decades ago, he took a year off work when both children were born to support his wife and build connection with his children.

“I know I was extremely fortunate. Not everyone has the luxury or opportunity to do that, but it was the best decision I made,” he said.

“It gave me the time to support my wife and figure out what we were doing. Sleep didn’t really exist for us but we worked together and created a team unit.

“I certainly had a lot of questions though and all we had then was books. It would have been great to have a community to help out.

“But I also think that fathers today probably need that support more than ever. They’re dealing with cost-of-living pressures and that societal pressure to feel or look like the best dad or best family. It’s nice for them to have a place to be real.”

But Mr Brennan said Newbe could also be the perfect place for dadfluencers.

He said the app allowed users to conduct their own livestreams or question and answer sessions.

“It’s like a social media site in that you set up your own profile, you can post images and videos and you can host livestreams or Q&A sessions,” he said.

“We’re really hoping it can be a place for dads to find the right community and that can help them be the best fathers they can be.”