Damon believes that compassion is not merely an innate sentiment, but a deliberate choice to understand others. He is motivated by a vision of a society in which mental well-being is accessible to everyone, regardless of background, and where people can find hope, purpose and joy.

Through volunteering with underprivileged families, socially isolated older people and children with special educational needs, Damon has witnessed vulnerabilities that are not always visible. These encounters strengthened his understanding that mental health challenges are often intertwined with social inequality, loneliness and rapid social change, and therefore cannot be addressed through clinical intervention alone.

Damon hopes to bridge psychological research and community support by piloting workshops that combine psychoeducation with peer support, particularly for underserved groups. As a student research helper in the Experimental Psychopathology and Psychotherapy Lab, he has developed knowledge that can help translate theory into practice. He aspires to develop evidence-based therapeutic approaches that cultivate self-compassion and resilience among people experiencing self-criticism and anxiety.

Transforming compassion from a personal value into a sustainable force for collective well-being is central to Damon’s vision as a Scholar of The D. H. Chen Foundation. By exchanging ideas across disciplines through the Scholarship Programme, he hopes to bridge psychological research and community practice in ways that cultivate resilience, self-understanding and hope.