TOMORROW X TOGETHER is working toward a better tomorrow for the world’s youth, with the K-pop group launching a global mental health campaign with UNICEF.
Kickstarted on Tuesday (Sept. 30), the K-pop stars’ new initiative aims to advocate for empathy-based mental health strategies, open conversations, the destigmatization of mental health issues and the empowerment of youth to build resilience. Members SOOBIN, YEONJUN, BEOMGYU, TAEHYUN and HUENINGKAI officially launched the campaign by visiting UNICEF’s offices in New York City and mingling with 20 other young leaders in the mental health space.
SOOBIN gave a speech during the event, as did UNICEF’s deputy executive director, Kitty van der Heijden, and Cho Mijin, the executive director of the Korean committee for UNICEF.
“Through our musical journey, we have learned that expressing emotion is a sign of strength,” SOOBIN said in his speech, noting how the members of TXT have always prioritized being open about their own mental health struggles. “Now with our campaign with UNICEF, we want to help create a safe and inclusive space for youth to freely express their emotions.”
As part of the initiative, the boy band’s label, BIGHIT MUSIC, has pledged $1.4 million in funding for youth programs and global awareness campaigns aimed at breaking down stigmas surrounding mental health.
News of the UNICEF partnership comes as TXT is gearing up to close out its North American tour. In July, the band released The Star Chapter: Together, debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.
Watch a video of SOOBIN’s speech at the UNICEF kickoff event below.