UPDATE: Amanda Nguyen, the first Vietnamese woman to journey into space with Blue Origin, has opened up about the unexpected emotional fallout following her historic flight. In a recent Instagram post, she described a profound struggle with depression that emerged after her much-anticipated mission.
Nguyen’s experience aboard the all-female crew flight, which took place earlier this year, was meant to be a pinnacle moment of achievement. However, upon returning to Earth, she faced a wave of backlash and negativity that she had not anticipated. “When Gayle called to check in on me in the aftermath of the spaceflight, I told her my depression might last for years,” Nguyen wrote, illustrating the depth of her emotional turmoil.
The social entrepreneur candidly expressed that the excitement surrounding her groundbreaking flight quickly turned into despair. She noted that her professional work and the significance of the mission felt overshadowed by “an avalanche of misogyny.” The online hostility she encountered was staggering, amounting to billions of hostile impressions that she described as “an onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure.”
In her heartfelt account, Nguyen revealed that she was so overwhelmed that she spent an entire week indoors, unable to leave her bed. Even a month after the flight, she struggled to articulate her pain, stating, “I could not speak through my tears.”
However, there is a silver lining to Nguyen’s story. In her post, she shared a poignant handwritten journal entry dated December 27, 2023, reading, “I’m happy to report the depression has lifted.” Though recovery did not happen overnight, Nguyen has gradually felt the weight of grief lighten. “It’s been 8 months since then, and I’m glad that the fog of grief has started to lift,” she wrote, expressing gratitude to those who supported her during this challenging time.
Nguyen’s journey of healing also touches on her past traumas: “We never fully leave behind our past selves; all parts of us are valuable.” By the end of her message, she conveyed a sense of hope, indicating to Gayle that her healing is progressing: “I can tell Gayle it’s not going to take years.”
As Amanda Nguyen continues her journey toward recovery, her story serves as a reminder of the unseen struggles many face, even after monumental achievements. Her transparency about mental health challenges resonates widely and encourages others to seek support in their own battles.
This developing story highlights the importance of addressing mental health, especially in the face of societal pressures and scrutiny. Stay tuned for more updates on Nguyen’s journey and her advocacy for mental health awareness.