Etinosa Yvonne

It’s All In My Head

It’s All In My Head is a multimedia project that explores the coping mechanisms of survivors of terrorism and violent conflict in Nigeria. In the last two decades, this country has witnessed varying degrees of terrorism and violent conflicts. Whenever there is an attack, humanitarian organizations, government agencies and others focus on providing relief materials, setting up makeshift clinics, temporary housing and schools. Although the aforementioned are very necessary, however, little priority is given to assessing the mental health of survivors. It’s All In My Head aims to advocate for increased and long-term access to psychosocial support for the survivors which in turn will improve their mental health.

Relevant authorities in Nigeria are striving to rid the country of all forms of extremism, terrorism and violent conflict, through ongoing peace building efforts, counterterrorism and the likes; however, the survivors of these attacks are often left behind as very little is done to address their mental health and the trauma experienced from such horrific experiences. Without much support, the survivors make strong individual efforts to move past the trauma of the things they witnessed and carry on living their lives.

Etinosa Yvonne, Alhaji Abdulahi Sani, 45, Kaduna, Nigeria, from the series It’s All In My Head, on-going. © Etinosa Yvonne

In the last two years I have worked with over forty survivors of terrorism and violent conflict in Nigeria. A lot of the survivors’ struggle with depression, PTSD, and vengeful thoughts, while others have found solace in their existence and religion. In this project, I explore how these survivors struggle to move on by using layered portraits (still images & videos) and the things that they do to help them move forward.

Words by Etinosa Yvonne

About Etinosa Yvonne

Etinosa Yvonne (b. 1989) is a documentary photographer and visual artist born and brought up in Nigeria. She works with various art forms including photos and videos. Yvonne leverages on the power of storytelling to create awareness, educate, inform, question as well as express herself. She is one of six talents selected for the 2020 cycle of the World Press Photo 6*6 Africa talent. She has received grants from Women Photograph, National Geographic in partnership with Lagos Photo and Access Bank Art X for her project It’s All In My Head. Her photos have been exhibited internationally, her works have also been published in several international publications. Yvonne currently resides in Abuja, Nigeria.