BTS' Suga Co-Wrote a Music Therapy Guidebook for Children with Autism

BTS' Suga has made a significant contribution to the field of mental health. According to a report from Severance Hospital on March 17, 2026, Suga was directly involved as one of the authors in the development of a clinical manual for a music-based social therapy program called MIND (Music-Interaction-Network-Diversity).

The MIND program is specifically designed as a social skills training guide for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Considering that music is a means of non-verbal communication, this method is considered very effective for patients who have low cognitive abilities or difficulty responding to verbal communication.

Through this program, children are encouraged to express themselves by choosing an instrument they like and learn to interact socially through ensemble sessions, where they practice waiting their turn while playing music together.

Professor Cheon Keun Ah of Severance Hospital, who has been working with Suga since the second half of 2024, revealed that the artist's involvement was born from his extraordinary understanding of the power of music.

According to him, Suga brings sensitivity as a musician and a sincere desire to share responsibility for vulnerable groups in society. Suga's presence is recognized as a key factor in making this innovative program possible. Suga's dedication to Severance Hospital actually began in June of last year, when he donated 5 billion won. 

This significant contribution was then realized in the form of the establishment of the Min Yoongi Treatment Center, located on the first floor of the Jejunga Building at Severance Hospital, in September of last year. From the second half of 2024 to early last year, Suga also volunteered, playing guitar and providing music therapy to children on the autism spectrum.

This hands-on experience served as a key foundation for the development of the MIND program with Professor Cheon Keun Ah. This collaboration also marked the creation of the world's first integrated arts-based care and independence system, initiated by a university hospital.