Alyssa Milano has opened up about her battle with postpartum anxiety following the birth of her first child in 2011, highlighting the urgent necessity for improved maternal mental health support. This revelation comes amidst the highly-publicised trial of Lindsay Clancy, a former nurse accused of murdering her three children in January 2023. Milano’s experiences shed light on the broader issues many mothers face during and after pregnancy.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Milano-Clancy-split-082026-0c6fe5d043dc4031970759b710bd7ada.jpg)
Milano, now 53, gave birth to her son, Milo, two years after suffering a miscarriage. In a compelling 2018 article for Time, which she recently reshared via Substack, she described how her mental health struggles began with motherhood. She stated that the anxiety she faced became overwhelming, particularly following Milo’s birth, as she experienced debilitating anxiety attacks that affected her daily life.
Sharing her personal journey, she recounted the panic she felt while commuting to work, consumed by thoughts of potential harm coming to her son in the care of others. “Every night, after working 16-hour days and finally being able to hold my child, I would experience a crushing anxiety attack,” she explained, revealing the isolation andfear that often accompany such mental health challenges.
In her darkest moments, Milano sought emergency help. “I went to the emergency room at 2:00 AM, requested a psychiatrist, and asked to be committed,” she recalled. During her three days in a public psychiatric ward, she received the support she desperately needed. Milano credits her therapist and psychiatrist, referring to them as her “angels,” for helping her understand that she was brave enough to confront her illness and worthy of recovery.
Her decision to speak out is closely tied to the ongoing trial of Lindsay Clancy, which has ignited discussions on maternal mental health across the country. Clancy, a former labour and delivery nurse, is facing murder charges for the deaths of her three children — ages five, three, and eight months. Her defence team has claimed she was overmedicated and suffering from postpartum psychosis at the time of the incident, raising questions about maternal mental health care and the support systems that ultimately failed her.
While Milano acknowledged that her experience with postpartum anxiety is distinct from Clancy’s alleged postpartum psychosis, she emphasised the critical importance of addressing postpartum mental health issues. “Maternal mental-health symptoms must be recognised, believed, and treated with urgency,” she asserted, noting that many women ask for help but still find themselves slipping through the cracks of the healthcare system.
Milano’s heart-wrenching reminders raise a crucial point: not all individuals struggling with mental illness show visible signs of distress, and mental health care must not become more difficult to access for those who need it most. “I was fortunate to have the resources and insurance to receive proper care; what about those mothers who don’t have such support?” she questioned, spotlighting the disparities in mental health services available to mothers.
The actress’s revelations come at a time when discussions surrounding mental health, particularly relating to motherhood, are increasingly vital. With growing awareness surrounding maternal mental health issues, Milano’s advocacy aims to encourage a paradigm shift in both understanding and treating mental illness in new mothers. By raising her voice amidst a societal reckoning, she hopes to inspire change that prioritises the mental well-being of all mothers.
In closing, Milano’s candid narrative serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of destigmatising mental health challenges. As she encourages an open dialogue about such issues, she emphasises that it is essential to provide compassionate support to mothers. “We should not confront these challenges by placing more hurdles in front of those seeking help,” she stated, reinforcing the message that mental health support is a fundamental right for all.
For those experiencing mental health hardships, resources such as helplines and support services are available. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988, providing 24/7 assistance for those in need.