The Grey’s Anatomy actress says motherhood pushed her to face anxiety and destigmatise mental health at home.

Camilla Luddington, best known for her long-running role as Dr Jo Wilson on Grey’s Anatomy, has opened up about how she’s managing her mental health — and the conversation she had with her young children about taking antidepressants.

The British-born actress, now 41, shares two children — Hayden, 8, and Lucas, 4 — with her husband, actor Matthew Alan. Speaking to People Magazine, Luddington spoke candidly about how motherhood forced her to confront mental health struggles she had never previously experienced, particularly severe anxiety.

“It’s really forced me to get a handle on my own mental health,” she said. “When I became a mom, I had never really experienced anxiety before, and my anxiety ramped up in a way that was just unfair to myself.”

She described the growing pressure she felt as a mother and the physical toll it took. “I remember getting to a point where I had heart palpitations every day,” she recalled. “And I was like, ‘But I don’t need to take anything. It’s going to change me. I’m going to feel so different.’ And I was so resistant.”

Eventually, she sought help and began taking an SSRI — a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor — to manage her anxiety. Today, she credits the treatment with helping her feel grounded and in control again. “I think that’s so silly now, when I see how much it’s helped me,” she admitted.

But her openness didn’t end with seeking treatment. Luddington made the conscious decision to be honest with her children, especially Hayden, who is old enough to understand the concept in simple terms. She told them about the medicine she takes, calling it her “brain vitamin” to keep the conversation age-appropriate and stigma-free.

“I’m really trying to be open publicly about taking an SSRI,” she explained. “Because I feel like it’s still something people don’t like to talk about. And I know that so many mental health issues come up in high school and middle school.”

The actress said her goal is to normalise the idea of discussing mental health within her family, creating a safe space for her children to talk about their feelings and ask for help if they ever need it.

“I just want to make it in my own family feel like if they ever need to talk about anything — not necessarily take anything — but just to know that Mom gets it. That it’s not shameful in my family to say, ‘Hey, I need this thing. It helps calm my brain down.’”

Her words resonated with many fans, particularly mothers who face similar internal battles while raising children. Luddington’s decision to go public with her story adds to a growing list of celebrities choosing to speak candidly about mental health and medication, helping to shift public discourse toward understanding and acceptance.

As conversations around parenting and mental health continue to evolve, Camilla Luddington’s message is clear: honesty, support, and compassion start at home — and no one should feel ashamed to seek help.