Music Therapy Department Held the Opening Ceremony for the 2024 'Heart Talk Talk' Art Healing Program for At-Risk Youth
- Date2024.05.09
- 10581
The department of music therapy (Director: Ga Eul Yoo) held the opening ceremony for the '2024 Heart Talk Talk Art Healing Project for At-Risk Youth' at GS Caltex Yulmaru (Yeosu) on April 24th. The 'Heart Talk Talk Art Healing Project for At-Risk Youth' is the first of its kind in Korea and globally, a music therapy project that aims to provide psychological and emotional support and guidance education for at-risk youths involved in crimes, such as suspended prosecution and probation, through government-industry-academia collaboration. The music therapy department began its music therapy project in 2013 through educational cooperation with the Seoul Western District Prosecutor's Office, and in 2016, GS Caltex and Gwangju District Prosecutor's Office Sooncheon Branch joined to establish this collaboration model. As of 2024, it is operating a nationwide program in collaboration with prosecutors' offices in 7 cities across the country.
This program is led by music therapy experts, doctoral students, and faculty members from the Department of Music Therapy, providing musical instrument playing such as guitar and drums, and music creation programs such as lyric writing and composing to youths in the eastern part of South Jeolla Province who are under probation or have suspended prosecution. This year, the program operates in a hybrid format, offering non-face-to-face programs for youths living in distant areas such as Gwangyang, Gurye, and Goheung, and face-to-face programs in program centers based in Yeosu and Sooncheon. At the end of the year, there are plans to create a venue for youths to share the musical results created during the program on stage and communicate with the local community.
The department of music therapy offers psychological and emotional support tailored to the developmental needs of at-risk adolescents, aiding in the relief of negative emotions and the development of appropriate communication strategies. This, in turn, is expected to enhance self-worth and proactive behaviors. In celebration of our university's founding anniversary this year, we aim to strengthen our partnership in youth support by presenting a plaque of appreciation to GS Caltex, a steadfast supporter, and by initiating their induction into the Donor Hall of Fame. The department also plans to continue its efforts to improve the quality of life for various socially vulnerable population, including people with disabilities, foreign workers, and refugees. It seeks to cultivate a community culture by expanding psychological and emotional support programs.