From Frontlines to PhD: A Nurse’s COVID Mental Health Mission

When Thuany Silva, a 32-year-old Brazilian nurse, stepped onto the pandemic frontlines in Rio de Janeiro in April 2020, she never expected her own battle with COVID-19 would redefine her career. After testing positive just a month into her service, Thuany faced a grueling six-month recovery marked by memory gaps, chronic pain, and anxiety. 'It felt like my body and mind were at war,' she recalls.

But Thuany turned her struggle into purpose. Now pursuing a PhD, she’s studying how the pandemic reshaped mental health in Brazil—especially for frontline workers and long-haulers like herself. Her research focuses on bridging gaps in psychological support, combining medical expertise with raw, lived experience.

'Survivors need more than data—they need someone who gets it,' says Thuany, whose work has already sparked conversations about post-pandemic care. Her story reminds us: Sometimes the deepest crises unlock our most meaningful missions.

Reference(s):

The Long Haul with COVID-19: How I become a 'COVID Psychologist'

cgtn.com