Entertainment> Celebrities

Brooke Shields appeals to lawmakers

(WENN)
2007-05-15 15:10

Brooke Shields is calling on US lawmakers to pass legislation to help new mothers combat post-natal depression.

The actress - who was famously criticized by Tom Cruise for using antidepressants after suffering from the condition after her first child was born - says the illness needs to be taken seriously and is appealing the US government to give "an easy gift to give to women everywhere."

She says, "There is an entire population of women suffering and it's time, I believe, for Congress to step in and prevent that, and actually save lives and save potential tragedy."

In an interview with ABC's This Week, she adds her post-natal depression was "devastating" to her family, adding, "I had gone through numerous attempts to have a baby, and then I finally did have this perfect, beautiful, healthy baby, and it all but destroyed me."