27/11/2025
# The Hong Kong Psychological Society Ltd.
**Press Release**
# # The Hong Kong Psychological Society Calls for Attention to the Major Fire Incident at Hung Hom Five-Level Fire and Urges Public Focus on Mental Health
The Hong Kong Psychological Society (the Society) expresses deep condolences yesterday (November 26, 2025) regarding the five-level major fire incident at Hung Hom, which resulted in many casualties. Many citizens have lost their loved ones or family members, and suffered from fear and anxiety. In this unfortunate incident, many citizens have lost their familiar neighborhoods and homes, with their lives severely impacted, and experienced grief and trauma. Psychologists from this Society will do their utmost in different work positions to provide appropriate support to affected citizens and help them navigate through this difficult period.
The Society also pays attention to traditional media live broadcasts or citizens turning to social media disaster sites, which may cause secondary psychological trauma to citizens. We urge all circles to pay attention to the impact of disaster events on mental health - secondary disasters caused by fires are severe, and repeated viewing of disaster footage can easily cause psychological trauma in the current moment. The Society advocates that citizens should not go through the disaster process repeatedly. The Society reminds that repeated exposure to disaster scenes may trigger secondary psychological trauma, especially for disaster survivors, eyewitnesses, and citizens with previous trauma, who may experience additional emotional distress.
**Common normal stress reactions after disasters include:**
- Shock, numbness, or disbelief
- Anxiety, worry, or fear
- Sadness, helplessness, or despair
- Insomnia, appetite changes
- Difficulty concentrating
- Repeatedly thinking about the incident
These are natural reactions from psychological trauma, which typically gradually ease within several weeks. If symptoms continue to appear or worsen after the trauma, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), it is recommended to seek professional help:
- Trauma re-experiencing: Unable to stop recalling disaster scenes, nightmares, or flashbacks
- Avoidance reactions: Continuing to avoid thoughts, feelings, or locations related to the trauma
- Negative cognitive and emotional changes: Continued negative emotions, loss of interest, detachment from others
- Hyperarousal: Easy to startle, irritability, insomnia, or difficulty concentrating
The Society recommends that citizens limit their exposure to relevant news reports, pay attention to their own emotional reactions, and call media to exercise responsibility when reporting. Excessive repetition of disaster scenes may cause psychological harm, and excessive repetition of disaster footage should be avoided. When reporting, mental health support information should be included. Parents should also appropriately guide their children to watch the news, pay attention to their emotional reactions and needs.
The Society emphasizes that stress reactions after disasters are normal phenomena, and should be accepted rather than denied. If symptoms persist for more than a month and affect daily life, professional assistance should be actively sought. All sectors of society should work together to provide a supportive environment for affected individuals and help them gradually restore normal life.
**If citizens need emotional support, they can contact the following hotlines:**
**【Emotional Support Hotlines】**
- Su***de Prevention Services Psychological Support Hotline: 5164 5040
- Open 噏: WhatsApp / SMS: 9101 2012
- Social Welfare Department Hotline: 2343 2255
- Hong Kong Samaritans Su***de Prevention Hotline: 2389 2222
- Hong Kong Samaritans Su***de Prevention Hotline for Emergencies: 2353 0029
- Samaritans (Multilingual): 2896 0000
- Lifeline: 2382 0000
- Tung Wah Hotline: 18288
- Hospital Authority Mental Health Hotline: 2466 7350
- "Emotional Connect" Mental Health Support Hotline: 18111
Hong Kong Psychological Society
November 27, 2025