Stanford University launches mental health course inspired by BTS' RM
Who knew being a BTS fan could also lead to lessons on mental health?
Stanford University has launched a new course on mental health inspired by the group's leader, Kim Nam-joon, better known as RM.
Titled "Namjooning, and other well-being inspiration from BTS," the course will focus on "practices to support mental health and well-being" and will tackle topics such as nature, biking, art, and literature.
It will also discuss sleep, anxiety, and creative block; self-love and self-awareness; medications and substances, diet and exercise; nutritional supplements; psychotherapy and coaching; and others.
"We will take inspiration from RM wherever we can," the description of the course read.
However, the university stressed that they will go beyond simply offering familiar advice on well-being such as getting plenty of sleep.
"Rather, we will use quantitative approaches to understand what is 'plenty,' whether all sleep is created equally, and the impact of lack of sleep on well-being—what does the research say, how does one actually achieve good sleep, and what remains controversial?" the course description read.
Some of the activities in store for the class include reading fiction, analyzing scientific papers, and viewing art and YouTube videos. Assignments will include brief in-class presentations, brief writings, some quantitative reasoning, and a final project inspired by RM’s album Indigo.
"Prerequisites for this class are a desire to flourish at Stanford and in life, an appetite for data, and a healthy respect for BTS," the listing stated.
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences professor James Jacobs will serve as the instructor for the course. He has been with Stanford for more than 10 years now as associate vice provost for health and well-being and executive director of Vaden Health Services.
RM has been open about his personal struggles and the importance of taking care of his mental health.
During a 2021 livestream, the BTS leader spoke about dealing with depression and described how he tried to maintain a daily routine by cleaning his room, watering his plants, and exercising.
The term "Namjooning," often used by his fans, refers to restorative activities such as spending time in nature, biking, visiting art spaces, and reading.