Dola Posh wears many hats: she is a photographer, a Nigerian woman, a mother, and a Briton. However, six days postpartum, during a COVID lockdown in an English hospital, she felt lost and disconnected from her passion for photography. The pressures from family far away, the isolation, and the overwhelming change left her questioning her identity. Dola didn’t recognize she was experiencing postnatal depression, a condition that disproportionately affects black women.
Upon returning home, Dola faced unsolicited advice that compounded her feelings of inadequacy as a mother. The barrage of expectations made her feel disconnected and alone. It was a particularly dark moment when fatigue and anxiety led her to contemplate taking her own life. Fortunately, a call to her health visitor brought her some immediate support.
Dola was encouraged to take therapy and embrace photography as an outlet. As she crafted self-portraits with her newborn, she unintentionally drew from the traditional Madonna and child motif. The images, influenced by her upbringing in a religious household, reflected her internal struggles and reconnecting with her roots.
As she shared her story, Dola realized that discussing her depression alleviated the shame she felt. Winning an award from Leica further propelled her mission to destigmatize mental health issues within black motherhood. She aims to encourage women to share their struggles and ensure they don’t have to navigate their journeys alone.
Dola’s journey from darkness to light exemplifies the power of art and storytelling in mental health recovery, challenging societal norms and advocating for representation in media.
