Washington, Aug. 23 -- Melissa Gilbert has spoken out about the need for better protection and support for child actors following the deaths of former child stars Hayden Panettiere, Daveigh Chase and Michelle Trachtenberg, according to PEOPLE magazine.

As per the publication, the Little House on the Prairie actor, 62, shared her thoughts in an essay published on Saturday, calling for changes in the way young actors are treated as they grow up in the entertainment industry.

Gilbert said she did not know Panettiere personally and had only worked briefly with Chase and Trachtenberg. However, she said their deaths felt personal because she had also grown up as a child performer.

"I did not know Hayden personally and only worked briefly wit...