Frank Alexopoulos says a call to Lifeline during a difficult period in his life transformed the way he approached fatherhood, leading him to leave his construction job and prioritise time with his children, according to The advertiser.
The 43-year-old, whose father migrated to Australia from Greece after World War II, grew up in a household shaped by traditional expectations. “I felt I was doing my role as a father by providing for my family,” Alexopoulos said to The Advertiser, recalling years spent working 12-hour days in Melbourne’s construction industry.
Following a divorce and a period away from his three sons, Alexopoulos sought help through Lifeline. “It was a game changer,” he said. “It made me reflect on my own childhood and how I was parenting up until then.”
The experience prompted him to reassess his priorities and eventually leave his job to launch his own business, Beacon Design and Build, allowing him greater flexibility to spend time with family. Now remarried and expecting a fourth child, he says he feels more prepared for fatherhood than before.
His story reflects wider concerns among Australian fathers. A recent study by The Fathering Project found that one in three fathers reported suicidal thoughts in the previous two weeks, while many still felt financial provision was their primary responsibility.
Research by La Trobe University also found growing demand among fathers for flexible work arrangements and improved parental leave. Alexopoulos now encourages employees with young families to take time off, saying: “It all starts with a conversation.”
Source: The Advertiser
