Luke Tan’s Journey: Turning Pain into Purpose

Sometimes, the most powerful act of advocacy isn’t a grand gesture or a public campaign, it’s a quiet conversation; it’s sitting with someone in their darkest moments, offering patience when they can barely find words, and creating space where they feel safe to be vulnerable. For Luke, this was the kind of support he wished more people had during one of the hardest periods of his life, and it’s what inspired him to pour himself into mental health advocacy.

Today, Luke is an educator, speaker, and avid mental health advocate. He has spent over a decade helping young people navigate mental health challenges, offering support not as a therapist or psychologist, but simply as a friend willing to listen. His platform, A Pocketful of Grace, is dedicated to spreading hope, providing encouragement, and sharing insights that equip others to build safer, more understanding communities.

But his journey didn’t begin with a mission. It began with a question: How can I help?

The Spark: A Friend in Need and the Start of an Advocacy Journey

Luke’s journey began in university, where he found himself surrounded by friends battling severe mental health struggles. Depression and anxiety had quietly taken root in the lives of people he cared about. “One friend in particular was just going through the motions,” Luke recalled. “They were struggling with depression, self-harm, even suicidal thoughts. And I remember looking around at the adults in our lives, asking myself, What are they going to do? How can we fix this?”

At the time, mental health wasn’t widely understood or discussed, and the stigma was overwhelming. Depression was often seen as laziness. Anxiety was mistaken for weakness. Those battling mental illness were dismissed as fragile, difficult, or simply making excuses.

“I realised that waiting for someone else to step in wasn’t enough…I knew I wasn’t a professional, but I thought, Maybe I can be a good friend.”

That decision would eventually spark a journey that would last over a decade. Determined to understand how to support his peers, Luke immersed himself in mental health resources. He read articles, attended workshops, and learned what it meant to create safe spaces for others. It wasn’t about fixing people, it was about making sure they didn’t feel alone. “People don’t always need advice. Sometimes, they need someone to sit with them in their pain. Someone who isn’t trying to fix them but is just willing to listen.”

That mindset became the foundation of his advocacy. Whether through podcasting, writing, or public speaking, Luke dedicated himself to teaching others how to offer the same kind of care.

Navigating the Pandemic and a Career Pivot

While Luke’s passion for mental health advocacy continues to grow, his academic path initially led him in a different direction. Drawn to science, he pursued a degree in biotechnology at the University of Nottingham Malaysia. His goal was clear: he wanted to help people battling cancer.

“There was someone I knew,” Luke shared. “Not necessarily a close friend, but someone I cared about, who was going through cancer treatment. I could see how much they were suffering, and I thought, I want to do something that makes a difference.”

Inspired to contribute to cancer research, Luke envisioned a future working in labs, developing treatments that could change lives. But reality had other plans.

Graduating during the pandemic, Luke found himself facing a series of roadblocks. Cancer research opportunities in Malaysia were limited, and the lockdown made it nearly impossible to secure a research position. Even entry-level assistant roles were scarce. Graduating into lockdown was especially disheartening. With ceremonies cancelled, Luke’s class was even advised to hold their virtual graduation at home. 

Despite the frustration, Luke adapted. With research doors closed, he turned to tutoring as a way to stay productive. Teaching science and maths to IGCSE students not only became a steady job, but also provided him with a new sense of purpose. “It wasn’t part of my original plan,” Luke admitted. “But teaching ended up being something I really enjoyed. And over time, I realised that a big part of teaching was helping students manage their stress, their anxiety... even their self-confidence.”

In some ways, teaching became another extension of his mental health advocacy. Conversations about exam pressure often became moments to check in on his students' well-being.

“I started seeing how closely education and mental health are connected,” Luke said. “When you’re tutoring, you’re not just teaching content - you’re supporting people as they try to manage stress, pressure, and uncertainty."

Personal Struggles and Finding Strength

While Luke dedicated himself to supporting others, he faced his own struggles with mental health - a battle that would reshape his understanding of resilience.

During his second year of university, Luke’s family endured a series of health crises - appendicitis, his sisters falling ill, and his mother battling multiple metabolic diseases all at once. The financial strain, coupled with his own deteriorating mental health, pushed him to his breaking point.

“I remember feeling like I couldn’t keep up,” Luke said. “I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep... I lost 11 kg in three months. I needed someone to hold my hand just so I could fall asleep.”

A psychiatrist prescribed Luke powerful medication at dangerously high doses - a decision that Luke’s friend, who had personal experience with mental illness, warned him against. Ignoring the prescription, Luke turned instead to self-guided Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

“It was tough,” Luke admitted. “But I learned how to challenge my own thoughts - to replace the negative voice in my head with one that was kinder and more hopeful.”

This deeply personal struggle solidified Luke’s mission to create safe spaces where others could feel supported.

Building Safe Spaces and Equipping Leaders

One of Luke’s biggest focal points lies in empowering others to create safe spaces, particularly in educational institutions and faith communities.

His mission is clear: to equip leaders with the tools and awareness to support those struggling with mental health. Whether it’s through workshops, speaking engagements, or one-on-one conversations, Luke believes that empathy and compassion are skills that can be taught. 

His podcast, A Pocketful of Grace, serves as a platform where he delves into discussions about mental health, offering words of encouragement, comfort, and practical advice. Through this, he aims to create a more positive narrative around mental health, especially within the social media space. “I want to help people understand that you don’t need to be a professional to support someone,” Luke said. “You just need to care enough to listen and be there when they need you most.”

He places particular emphasis on breaking the stigma around seeking help. As a speaker, Luke has shared his story on both digital and physical stages, from university panels to church gatherings, bringing awareness to mental health through heartfelt storytelling and practical insight. His talks often challenge institutions to rethink how they approach care and compassion, especially in faith-based and educational settings. Beyond the stage, Luke continues the conversation online, using platforms like Instagram to post bite-sized reflections, gentle reminders, and personal anecdotes.

“The biggest thing I want people to know,” Luke said, “is that you’re not alone. There are people who want to help but sometimes they just don’t know how. My job is to teach them how.”

Embracing the Power of Compassion

Luke’s journey has been shaped by moments of loss, uncertainty, and frustration. But through it all, his commitment to creating safe spaces has never wavered.

For Luke, mental health advocacy isn’t about being perfect - it’s about showing up. It’s about asking, “How can I carry this with you?” and reminding people that they are never alone.

“We’re stronger together,” Luke said. “If we’re willing to carry each other’s burdens, those burdens become lighter - and healing becomes possible.”