Reclaiming Identity Through the Lens: Dola Posh's Journey with Postnatal Depression

Wed Apr 30 2025 14:46:57 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)
Reclaiming Identity Through the Lens: Dola Posh's Journey with Postnatal Depression

A Nigerian-British photographer shares her experiences battling postnatal depression and how photography became her lifeline amidst identity loss.


Dola Posh, a photographer and mother, navigated her identity crisis and postnatal depression after childbirth in a challenging 2020. Through self-portraiture, she turned her struggles into a powerful narrative and aims to inspire other black mothers to confront and share their mental health challenges.


In a world where multiple identities converge, Dola Posh embodies the roles of a photographer, a woman, a Nigerian, a mother, and a Briton. Yet, following the birth of her daughter, Dola found herself lost in the chaos of newfound motherhood. Just six days post-delivery, she lay in a hospital bed amid the COVID-19 lockdown, contemplating how her life had shifted irrevocably. The isolation and the demands placed upon her intensified her struggles, making her question if she could ever return to her passion for photography.

Through a barrage of calls from relatives who were eager to check in, the pressure mounted. With her mother thousands of miles away in Lagos, Nigeria, Dola felt her identity slipping away. "I thought: ‘I’m me; the baby’s out, I’m still me.’ But no, I wasn’t me any more,” she reflected. This existential crisis resonated deeply with Dola, one of many black women who experience postnatal depression aggravated by loss of identity and support.

Emerging from the hospital, Dola was bombarded with unsolicited parenting advice that compounded her feelings of inadequacy, pushing her further into despair. Struggling to cope with sleepless nights and isolation, a dark voice in her mind suggested taking her own life. It was during these moments of despair that she grasped a lifeline—her camera.

Dola found solace through self-portraits, creatively documenting her journey. The emotional weight of motherhood became the focal point of her work, where she channeled her experiences into images. When her baby, Monioluwa, became seriously ill, Dola’s anxiety peaked, and she described her soul feeling “lost.” Shortly after, she reached out for help, contacting her health visitor in a moment of desperation. That call marked a turning point in her journey.

Encouraged by her therapist, she took her camera and turned it towards herself, too. Drawing on the themes of motherhood captured through a historical lens, her photography began to unveil her inner struggles and triumphs. The familiar imagery reminiscent of religious iconography emerged as she deliberately configured her compositions, unknowingly reflecting her upbringing in a religious household rich in maternal symbolism.

The project evolved as Dola explored the overlap of her identities as a mother and an artist. Realizing that sharing her story could liberate her from the stigma of shame, she shifted her narrative: “I want a world where black mothers don’t have to carry so much burden… and feel reflected in the media.” Her commitment to trauma and healing through art led her to claim an award from Leica, providing her a platform to continue advocating for mental health awareness specifically for black mothers facing similar challenges.

Dola asserts it is crucial for women to openly discuss their traumas and recovery, making space for validation. “It’s new for a woman to stand there and say: ‘I almost ended my life, I’m not ashamed of it.’” Dola Posh's multifaceted journey not only captures the spirit of resilience but aims to reshape narratives for marginalized voices within the motherhood experience.

MORE ON THEME

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 09:12:17 GMT

Tragedy Strikes Vancouver: Eleven Dead in Festival Car Attack

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 09:12:17 GMT
Tue, 29 Apr 2025 09:33:56 GMT

**The Vietnam War: A Visual Legacy That Shaped America**

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 09:33:56 GMT
Mon, 28 Apr 2025 17:42:53 GMT

Tragedy Strikes Vancouver Festival: Five-Year-Old Among Victims

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 17:42:53 GMT
Sun, 27 Apr 2025 03:07:56 GMT

The Devastation of Sudan's Cultural Heritage Amidst War

Sun, 27 Apr 2025 03:07:56 GMT
Fri, 18 Apr 2025 11:36:08 GMT

Africa's Colorful Tapestry: Captivating Moments From the Continent

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 11:36:08 GMT
Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:02:21 GMT

Crisis at British Steel Plant Puts U.K.-China Relations to the Test

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:02:21 GMT
Fri, 11 Apr 2025 00:01:04 GMT

UK Boosts Military Aid to Ukraine with Additional £450m Package

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 00:01:04 GMT
Thu, 10 Apr 2025 19:02:20 GMT

Nigeria Takes Bold Steps Against Pangolin Trafficking Amid Wildlife Crisis

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 19:02:20 GMT
Wed, 09 Apr 2025 15:16:58 GMT

**King Charles III Advocates Unity Among Democracies in Historic Italian Parliament Address**

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 15:16:58 GMT
Sun, 06 Apr 2025 14:20:22 GMT

Trump Calls for Resilience Amidst New 10% Tariffs as Global Markets React

Sun, 06 Apr 2025 14:20:22 GMT
Sat, 05 Apr 2025 21:39:15 GMT

Market Turmoil and Protests as Trump Enforces New Tariffs

Sat, 05 Apr 2025 21:39:15 GMT
Fri, 04 Apr 2025 10:04:56 GMT

**Africa's Vibrant Tapestry: Celebrations and Trials Captured in Photos**

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 10:04:56 GMT
Thu, 03 Apr 2025 15:12:22 GMT

The Ripple Effect of Trump’s Tariffs: A Potential Shift in Global Trade Dynamics

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 15:12:22 GMT
Thu, 03 Apr 2025 09:25:19 GMT

UK to Host Exclusive 2035 Women’s World Cup Bid Confirmed

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 09:25:19 GMT
Tue, 01 Apr 2025 04:17:44 GMT

Parents Unite Against Smartphones in Schools: The Rise of the Smartphone Free Childhood Campaign**

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 04:17:44 GMT
Sun, 30 Mar 2025 19:29:49 GMT

Trump Dismisses Concerns Over Rising Auto Prices Amid New Tariffs

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 19:29:49 GMT
Sun, 30 Mar 2025 08:32:56 GMT

Navigating the Digital Minefield: Family Perspectives on Netflix's "Adolescence"

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 08:32:56 GMT
Sat, 29 Mar 2025 19:30:53 GMT

Amateur Photographers Revitalize Wikipedia's Celebrity Images

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 19:30:53 GMT
Fri, 28 Mar 2025 11:26:30 GMT

African Highlights: Culture and Pride Capture the Week

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 11:26:30 GMT
Wed, 26 Mar 2025 17:01:35 GMT

Hounded and Vindicated: Rhea Chakraborty’s Battle Against Media Trials

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 17:01:35 GMT

Follow us

© 2024 SwissX REDD UK ltd. All Rights Reserved.