Hung Fuk Yuen Children Heal from Fire Trauma Through Art and Play Therapy
HK01 · 1 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
Nearly a year after the Hung Fuk Yuen estate fire in Tai Po, children are still grappling with its psychological aftermath. Hong Kong Save the Children, in partnership with Hong Kong Shue Yan University, has been providing trauma-informed group services including play therapy and expressive arts therapy to help young survivors heal. Research shows dramatic improvements in anxiety levels and trauma symptoms among participating children, though experts warn that recovery may take years rather than months. The organisation is urging the government to establish permanent psychological support mechanisms and integrate trauma-informed approaches into disaster recovery policies.
Key Points
- A P.6 student at Tai Po Baptist Public Primary School created a "treasure box" containing items from his former Hung Fuk Yuen home, including a paper stress-relief catapult and a penguin toy gifted by someone at the estate
- The student uses two "calm bottles" filled with liquid and glitter, finding comfort in watching the glitter settle after shaking the bottles
- Some children remain affected by fire sounds, feeling uncomfortable when hearing alarm bells or sirens, while others replay fire scenes in their minds
- Play therapy reduced children's anxiety scores from 7 (moderate level requiring attention) to 1, representing an 85% improvement
- Expressive arts therapy lowered post-traumatic stress symptoms from 23.52 to 9.13 points, a decrease exceeding 60%, with improvements in oppositional behaviour and hyperactivity
Why It Matters
The findings from this year-long intervention provide concrete evidence that trauma-informed therapy works, yet they also expose a critical gap in Hong Kong's disaster response framework. The government currently lacks standardised protocols for identifying, treating, and following up with children who suffer psychological damage from emergencies. Without permanent support mechanisms, future disaster survivors may face years of unaddressed trauma that could have been mitigated with early intervention. Establishing such systems would ensure that mental health recovery receives equal priority alongside physical reconstruction in disaster management.
The findings from this year-long intervention provide concrete evidence that trauma-informed therapy works, yet they also expose a critical gap in Hong Kong's disaster response framework. The government currently lacks standardised protocols for identifying, treating, and following up with children who suffer psychological damage from emergencies. Without permanent support mechanisms, future disaster survivors may face years of unaddressed trauma that could have been mitigated with early intervention. Establishing such systems would ensure that mental health recovery receives equal priority alongside physical reconstruction in disaster management.