BTS member Suga has contributed as a co-author to the “MIND Program,” a music-based social-skills training manual designed to support children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The program was developed in collaboration with a psychiatric research team led by Professor Cheon Keun-ah at Yonsei University’s medical system and released in March 2026 through Severance Hospital.
The MIND Program stands for Music, Interaction, Network and Diversity. It uses structured musical activities such as ensemble playing and instrument participation—to help young participants build communication skills and social interaction through shared creative experiences. According to Severance Hospital, the program is intended as a clinical model that complements limitations of existing social-skills training approaches.
Suga was involved from the early planning stage of the program and also participated directly as a volunteer instructor during pilot sessions with children. Hospital officials reported that he contributed ideas throughout development and helped guide music-based activities designed to encourage cooperation and emotional expression.
The manual specifically targets children and teenagers with autism spectrum disorder, including those who may struggle with language-based interaction. Because the program relies on music as a non-verbal communication medium, clinicians say it can be effective even for participants with lower verbal responsiveness.
The publication of the manual follows Suga’s earlier philanthropic support for autism care. In 2025, he donated 5 billion won (about $3.35 million) to help establish the Min Yoongi Treatment Center at Severance Hospital, a facility dedicated to treatment and research for autism spectrum disorder.
According to hospital officials, the goal of releasing the manual is to allow therapists and specialists in Korea and internationally to apply the program’s philosophy and procedures in real clinical settings.
The MIND Program manual is currently published in Korean, and no confirmed announcement of an English translation has been reported as of March 2026 based on available sources.