BTS Suga Donates 5 Billion Won to Establish 'Autism Treatment Center' with Severance Hospital
BTS member Suga (real name Min Yoon-gi) has made a significant donation of 5 billion won to Severance Hospital to establish a specialized treatment center for children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
This is the largest donation made by an individual artist in the history of Yonsei Medical Center.
On the 23rd, Severance Hospital held a groundbreaking ceremony for the 'Min Yoon-gi Treatment Center' on the first floor of the Jejung Building in Sinchon, Seoul. The center will provide focused support for the mental health of children and adolescents through speech, psychological, and behavioral therapies, as well as operate long-term treatment programs that coordinate clinical and research efforts.
Groundbreaking for the treatment center named after Min Yoon-gi… Development of music-based treatment programs
Since November, Suga began discussions with Professor Cheon Geun-ah, a leading child psychiatrist at Severance, regarding the treatment environment for autistic patients. Through several conversations, they agreed that long-term, life-cycle customized treatment is essential rather than short-term interventions for patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder, leading to Suga’s decision to donate 5 billion won.
Together with Professor Cheon, Suga has also embarked on developing a social skills training program utilizing music. This resulted in the creation of the 'MIND' program, which integrates music content into existing social skills training.
'MIND' stands for Music (sensory stimulation through music), Interaction (interaction), Network (relationship building), and Diversity (respect for diversity). It is a group program that helps children naturally express their emotions and thoughts through playing instruments and singing.
Children responding to instruments and rhythms… Notable changes
From March to June of this year, Suga personally participated in developing the program by meeting with children with autism every weekend. He played instruments and synchronized rhythms with the children, helping them express emotions naturally through music and learn social interactions.
Some children reacted much more actively compared to when they only received speech therapy, choosing and playing instruments by themselves in time with the rhythms. There were even positive changes, such as a child who had little facial expression beginning to show emotions during collaborative activities with other children.
The Min Yoon-gi Treatment Center is scheduled to complete construction in September and will officially commence operations alongside the expansion of regular program sessions. In addition to music-based social skills training for children with developmental disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, various clinical sessions such as ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) and speech therapy will also be provided.
"Beyond financial support, true dedication"… Suga's sincerity touches hearts
Professor Cheon Geun-ah expressed her deep gratitude, stating, "I sincerely appreciate Suga’s genuine talent donation and dedicated volunteer work over the past several months, beyond financial support." She added, "The ultimate goal of the MIND program is to help autistic children grow into independent members of society and to eliminate prejudice against disabilities."
Suga also remarked, "Over the past seven months, I have deeply realized that music can be a precious means to express feelings and communicate with the world." He continued, "I am grateful to have been part of the children's healing process, and I hope more children can live with respect as members of society."
This project has garnered attention as a symbolic example of an artist's continuous involvement and social responsibility, going beyond mere donations.
Image source: Provided by Yonsei Medical Center, News1
