Crew Member Shares Mental Health Struggle In the Wake of Deluge of Online Abuse Following Journey

A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her battle with depression after enduring a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission.

The 34-year-old activist – recognized as a researcher and activist – was part of the brief journey to space in the spring, which also carried well-known figures.

The high-profile flight was heavily criticized by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an torrent of sexist abuse.

“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” she recounted in a public message, describing a check-in call from a mission companion in the days following the journey.

She characterized the news reports and online discourse as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”.

“For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she wrote. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”

Eclipsed by Backlash

Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to gynecological science and operated research during the mission, said everything she had worked for – including her lab work and astronaut training to the historic significance of her background – was drowned out under the deluge of sexist vitriol.

She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work championing the cause of victims of sexual violence.

Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after an attack during her college days, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

A Path to Recovery

In the time since fulfilling her dream, she has stated the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the followers whose messages of encouragement helped save her. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote.

She noted that even with the backlash, significant positive outcomes had come out of the flight, such as increased focus on her scientific work and platforms for her activism.

The Historic Journey

The self-operating New Shepard rocket launched from its launch site in April, carrying the all-female team on a short trip that crossed the internationally recognized boundary of space.

The team of pioneers also featured experts in different industries.

The enterprise behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a Amazon founder.