BTS member Suga has co-authored “MIND Program,” a groundbreaking new manual introducing a music-based approach to fostering social skills, particularly for children and adolescents. The program’s launch was announced on Tuesday.
According to Severance Hospital in Seoul, where the program is based, the MIND program (Music, Interaction, Network and Diversity) is specifically designed to support children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder through engaging, structured musical activities.
Unlike traditional social training methods that heavily rely on language comprehension and cognitive abilities, the MIND program empowers participants to develop crucial interpersonal skills through activities like instrument selection, collaborative songwriting, and group performances.
The program is carefully structured into 12 sessions, progressively building skills from basic interaction and emotional awareness to effective communication and collaborative music creation.
Suga’s involvement began in 2024 when he partnered with psychiatrist Cheon Keun-ah. He contributed valuable insights from the program’s initial planning stages and even volunteered as an instructor during the pilot phase.
His generous donation of 5 billion won ($3.35 million) played a key role in establishing the Min Yoongi Treatment Center at Severance Hospital in September. The MIND program is currently operating within this center.
Cheon Keun-ah emphasized Suga’s significant contributions as being pivotal in the realization of the MIND program. She expressed her hope that the manual will be widely used by clinicians, therapists, and specialists worldwide, benefiting countless individuals.
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