Following a devastating fatal fire in Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court, a leading Hong Kong mental health official urged the public to pursue Christmas activities with sensitivity, asserting that a return to routine, dignified celebration is vital for the community’s psychological recovery. Dr. Lam Ching-choi, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Mental Health, emphasized on Wednesday that while public mourning is appropriate after a major tragedy, delaying societal reentry into normal activities, including seasonal festivities, risks exacerbating distress for those directly impacted.
Dr. Lam, speaking on a morning radio program, addressed the public debate surrounding whether holiday celebrations should continue amid widespread sorrow. He argued that the resumption of daily life offers necessary structure, which can be critical for healing. However, he stressed that any festive activities must be conducted with profound respect, compassion, and dignity, steering clear of excessive public revelry.
The Imperative of Resuming Normality
The mental health expert detailed the potentially negative consequences of prolonged community-wide sorrow. He warned that if society unduly delays a return to normalcy, victims and their families may feel an increased sense of burden or guilt, as if their tragedy is hindering the rest of the community’s progress.
Dr. Lam likened the recovery process to a train slowly getting back on its tracks, emphasizing that moving forward, even modestly, is essential. He advised that individuals and communities should “stand up and move forward” by gradually reintroducing routine aspects of life.
Supporting Student Well-being in Schools
The concern over community mood has reportedly led several schools to cancel planned end-of-year celebrations. Dr. Lam cautioned against such widespread cancellations, highlighting that abandoning routine activities can detrimentally affect students’ mental health.
Instead of scrapping events, he urged educational institutions to focus on helping students re-establish regular, familiar habits. This support should take the form of encouraging attendance at classes, participation in music practice, and engaging in sports. Restoring these ordinary routines provides a stable framework for recovery, assisting both students directly affected by the tragedy and the wider student body grappling with the general sadness.
“Getting back out to play sports together, step by step, will be far better for everyone’s mental health and morale,” Dr. Lam stated, underscoring the therapeutic value of collective, familiar activities in fostering resilience and healing.
Actionable Takeaway for Communities
The core message advises striking a balance between genuine mourning and necessary forward movement. For communities seeking to support those affected, the expert recommends focusing efforts on controlled, meaningful gatherings rather than large, boisterous events.
- Prioritize Routine: Maintain essential daily schedules and activities.
- Encourage Engagement: Support participation in sports, hobbies, and learning.
- Practice Sensitivity: Ensure all seasonal activities are respectful and consider the emotional state of the bereaved and injured.
The guidance suggests that by choosing a path of sensitive, dignified continuation, Hong Kong can collectively support psychological recovery without compounding the stress on its most vulnerable citizens.