Conversations on Trauma & Displacement: Building Knowledge, Strengthening Practice

What does it take to provide meaningful support to people navigating displacement in Hong Kong? At ASK, we believe it starts with building a professional community that is not only compassionate but equipped—with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to respond to complex needs. Our new speaker series, Conversations on Trauma & Displacement, is part of this commitment. The series brings together professionals from the mental health and NGO sectors to strengthen cross-disciplinary practice and promote a more holistic approach to care. Effective legal support doesn’t happen in isolation. Many of the people we work with carry deep trauma, shaped by past persecution, loss, or violence. When legal, psychosocial, and welfare teams are able to work in alignment, the result is stronger, more consistent, and more humane outcomes. The series launched with a two-part training by trauma specialist Guy Coffey, focused on Medico-Legal Report Writing for Mental Health Practitioners. The sessions provided practical tools for clinicians supporting legal claims while navigating the ethical complexities that arise when therapeutic and legal needs intersect. Our second workshop was led by Dr. Taiwo Afuape on Liberation Psychology—a critical approach that links trauma to broader systems of disadvantage and oppression, exploring how psychology and social action can come together to support people affected by forced migration. By investing in shared learning, we’re helping to build a stronger ecosystem—one where displaced people are met with care that is coordinated, thoughtful, and grounded in best practice. Thank you to all who have taken part so far. We look forward to continuing the conversation.