Opening conversations through the art of visual storytelling: Maternal mental health in Kenya, India, and Pakistan

| 24 Jan 2025

In an innovative project that blends art and science, Dr. Shahirose Sadrudin Premji, Professor and Sally Smith Chair in Nursing, partnered with filmmakers in Kenya, Pakistan, and India to follow the journeys of three local pregnant women and create a powerful series of films focusing on mental health during pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a time of immense change, and for many women, it can also be a period fraught with mental health challenges. In countries like Kenya, Pakistan, and India, cultural pressures, economic hardships, and limited access to mental health care – among other factors – can exacerbate these issues. Through the power of visual storytelling, Dr. Premji and team seek to highlight cross-cultural differences, raise awareness, and deepen understanding around this critical topic.

In India, filmmaker Munmun Dhalaria narrates the experiences of 32-year-old Simranpreet as she navigates economic hardships and faces societal pressures to have a male child, while highlighting the support received from mental health counselor Gunpreet (see Simranpreet’ story here). Another film, directed by filmmaker Joan Kabugu, reveals the story of Amina, a young Kenyan in her second trimester of pregnancy, exploring how various external and internal factors impact her well-being and that of her unborn child (see Amina’ story here). In Pakistan, filmmaker Tazeen Bari focuses on psychologist Tayyba Talal, who recounts the challenges of her second pregnancy and the valuable lessons she has applied to her current journey with her third child (see Tayyba Talal’ story here). By connecting with the heartfelt stories of women in their unique contexts, viewers gain a deeper understanding of the challenges affecting mental health during pregnancy in these countries, along with the causes and resources that offer hope and support. The films provide an opportunity learn about the strength, resilience and power that reside within women when they are supported.

“I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to the filmmakers – Munmun, Joan, and Tazeen – and their inspirational subjects – Simranpreet, Amina, and Tayyba – and their families,” Dr. Premji says. “These films celebrate the courage they have shown in sharing their personal, and emotional journeys.”

The films are publicly available on the Queen’s Health Sciences YouTube channel.

“The films are a call-to-action to remove stigma around mental health during pregnancy and spark meaningful conversations among students and the broader community about the social and contextual factors impacting mental health during pregnancy,” Dr. Premji explains.

The films are already used in the School of Nursing classrooms, and were featured at the Gender Studies Academic Series at Queen’s University and at the Alumni in Action Series through the Master of Medical Sciences in Global Health Delivery at Harvard Medical School in 2024. Additional events are planned for 2025.

This project was supported by funding from the Queen’s VPR Visiting Artist-in-Residence Fund, designed to foster research creation between Queen’s faculty and the broader arts community.

If you would like to learn more about Dr. Premji's research program, which explores the intersections of mental health, pregnancy, and cultural context, we invite you to watch Dr. Premji 5 a 7 talk

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Opening conversations through the art of visual storytelling: Maternal mental health in Kenya, India, and Pakistan

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