Welcome to episode three of Photo Mama Podcast – conversations on all things motherhood, photography and life. In this episode, we discuss mental health and how it affects us as mums and photographers.

May is Mental Health Month in the UK, and it's an important time to raise awareness and open up conversations about mental health., specifically focusing on anxiety as that is the theme for this year. The awareness week runs from the 15th to the 21st of May.

Photography is a highly creative and rewarding profession, but it can also come with its own unique set of challenges that can affect mental well-being. Combine that with being mums, juggling long hours of work and parenting, tight deadlines, and dealing with high-pressure situations, which can lead to stress, burnout, and anxiety.

Anxiety is a common mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It's a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe. Anxiety can manifest in different ways for different people and can be triggered by various situations. In the context of photography, anxiety can be triggered by things like equipment failure, difficult clients, and creative blocks.

We spoke with each other about our experiences and how we cope with them, sharing some of our coping mechanisms.

It's important to remember that anxiety is a treatable condition, and there are several resources available to help manage it. If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety or any other mental health condition, don't hesitate to seek professional help.

We hope this episode has been helpful in raising awareness and starting important conversations about mental health in relation to motherhood and photography. Remember to prioritise your mental well-being and take care of yourself, not just during Mental Health Month, but every day.

We hope you enjoy listening to our podcast as much as we enjoy creating it.

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*Correction* The Isaac Julien exhibition is at Tate Britain and not at Tate Modern as mentioned in the podcast.

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Here are some of the resources mentioned in the podcast:

Mel Robbins ‘The 5-Second Rule’ -  https://amzn.to/3M0JEo3

Photo Story #3: Motherhood & PND - https://youtu.be/L355au_fmf4

Offspring Project -  https://www.imharuna.com/offspring

Motherkind Podcast -  https://www.motherkind.co/podcast

Dr Oscar Serralach ‘The Post Natal Depletion Cure’ - https://amzn.to/3pgk06W

Insight Timer - https://insighttimer.com/en-gb

Calm - https://www.calm.com/app 

Headspace - https://www.headspace.com/

NHS Mental Health Services - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/

Mental Health Foundation - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

Noona’s Noonchi - https://noonasnoonchi.com/

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