After giving birth during a lockdown, Nigerian-British photographer Dola Posh grappled with her identity and experienced postnatal depression. Through photography and the support of a therapist, she began to document her struggles, aiming to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health issues facing black mothers.
Reclaiming Identity Through the Lens: A Photographer's Battle with Postnatal Depression
Reclaiming Identity Through the Lens: A Photographer's Battle with Postnatal Depression
Dola Posh navigates the challenges of motherhood and mental health through self-portraiture, shedding light on postnatal depression's impact on black women.
In a compelling narrative of resilience, Nigerian-British photographer Dola Posh captures her struggles with postnatal depression that emerged after the birth of her daughter, Monioluwa. Just six days following her daughter’s arrival amid a covid lockdown, Dola found herself alone in an English hospital, overwhelmed with uncertainty about her identity and future as a photographer.
“Once the baby was born, I thought I would still be me. But I then realized I didn’t feel like myself anymore,” she reflected on her emotional turmoil during this isolating time. Dola faced extensive pressure not only as a new mother but also from familial expectations and societal norms that often plague new parents, particularly black mothers who are statistically more likely to experience such mental health hurdles.
Overwhelmed by unsolicited parenting advice and the isolation that came with lockdown, Dola's mental health plummeted. “My brain was in a very dark place,” she told reporters, leading her to moments of despair; at one point, she even contemplated ending her own life. It was a call to her health visitor that coaxed her from despair, initiating support that would ultimately guide her towards therapy.
Dola’s breakthrough came when her therapist encouraged her to express her feelings through photography—the medium she had always loved. Using her camera as a therapeutic tool, Dola began taking self-portraits with her baby, merging her artistry with raw, vulnerable moments that depicted her emotional journey. This transformative approach not only served as her healing process but also reestablished her connection to her cultural roots and heritage, intertwining her experiences as a mother and an artist.
Through her work, Dola invokes imagery reminiscent of the Madonna and child, channeling the complexities of motherhood while confronting the stigma surrounding mental health in the black community. “Sharing my story helped me understand that the shame associated with postnatal depression was not mine to bear alone,” she stated as she shared her evolving narratives with others.
Dola recently received recognition from Leica, enabling her to further her artistic endeavors and extend her advocacy for black women grappling with similar experiences. “I want a world where black mothers feel less burdened and more seen in the media,” she emphasized, underscoring the importance of representation and dialogue around mental health issues.
In the face of adversity, Dola Posh stands as a testament to the power of storytelling and art in healing, encouraging a new generation of mothers to share their truths and redefine their journeys through both darkness and light. As she continually redistributes hope, her commitment to shedding light on the importance of mental health awareness resonates widely, inviting others toward solidarity and understanding.
