Board Games Deployed for Pediatric Trauma Healing in North Sumatra

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Creative Economy has introduced a specialized board game program to support children in North Tapanuli following recent flood disasters. Through the "Cheerful and Creative with Board Games" initiative, the Ministry’s Directorate of Games is utilizing tabletop play as a powerful tool for psychosocial recovery and "trauma healing."

The program, which involved 50 students from local schools and communities on March 5, 2026, aims to replace disaster-related distress with interactive, educational engagement. By moving beyond digital screens, the initiative fosters direct social interaction, which is considered vital for children in re-establishing a sense of security post-disaster.

Creative Economy Minister Teuku Riefky Harsya emphasized that the gaming subsector holds significant value far beyond mere entertainment or profit. He views the industry as a versatile tool for social problem-solving.

“Creative economy is capable of presenting innovative and inclusive solutions. Board games encourage children's creativity, build interaction spaces for psychosocial recovery, and at the same time strengthen the creative economy ecosystem as 'the new engine of growth',” said Minister Riefky in a release received on Sunday, March 8, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The program showcased several domestic titles developed through a "hexahelix" collaboration involving academia and industry. Notable contributors included the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Vistalab Mediakreasi, and participants from the Gimersia Creator Camp 2025.

Two featured games, Cats and The Rugs by Diah Ayoe and Sszoo!! by Febianzini, were used to introduce children to experiential learning and the creative process of game design.

By involving the Indonesian Board Game Industry Association (APIBGI), the Ministry is ensuring that the tools used for trauma healing are high-quality, locally-produced creative products.

According to Iman Argiono, Subdirector of Game Marketing and Commercialization at Kemenekraf, board games are a low-cost but high-impact intervention. The Ministry is currently replicating this model in other disaster-hit areas, such as Padang Pariaman.

“Board games in this activity are positioned not just as entertainment, but also as an instrument that helps the trauma-healing process while introducing creative economy products of the gaming subsector to the public,” Iman explained.

This strategic deployment demonstrates the government's push to utilize creative innovation for real-world social impact, ensuring that the creative ecosystem provides tangible benefits to the most vulnerable members of society. ***