BTS member Suga (real name Min Yoon-gi) has co-authored a music-based social skills training manual called the "MIND Program."
Severance Hospital announced on the 17th the release of the "MIND" manual for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. MIND stands for "Music-Interaction-Network-Diversity." The new manual was developed in response to criticism that existing social skills training programs are difficult to apply to children with lower developmental levels. The hospital explained that the MIND Program allows children to naturally expand their social interactions through participation in ensemble music activities. Pre- and post-assessments of seven children and adolescents showed significant improvements in social adaptation skills, nonverbal cue recognition, and overall social engagement motivation.
Suga played a major role in developing the program alongside Prof. Chun Keun-ah, an authority in child and adolescent psychiatry. Suga, who has maintained a consistent interest in youth mental health issues, connected with Prof. Chun and recognized the need for long-term treatment support for children with autism spectrum disorder. His 5 billion won donation led to the opening of the "Min Yoon-gi Treatment Center" at Severance Hospital in September last year, with Prof. Chun serving as the inaugural director and launching full-scale operations of the MIND Program. Suga actively contributed ideas from the planning stage and participated directly as a music volunteer instructor.
In the manual's preface, Prof. Chun wrote: "This book cannot be discussed without mentioning Min Yoon-gi, and his contribution was decisive in bringing the program to reality. I hope this manual will enable experts and therapists at home and abroad to share the program's philosophy and specific procedures and apply them in clinical practice."
