On June 22, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Nostos 2026 hosted the conference “Resonant voices: Culture, creators, and youth mental health” at Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) in Athens, Greece. Organized in collaboration with the Jed Foundation, the session brought together leaders from the worlds of music, entertainment and social impact to examine how storytelling can shape conversations around youth mental health while fostering resilience, connection and a sense of belonging. Among the panelists was Korean-American singer, songwriter and entrepreneur Eric Nam, joined by Paramount Vice President of Social Impact Noopur Agarwal and Rare Beauty Chief Impact Officer and President of the Rare Impact Fund Elyse Cohen and moderated by the Jed Foundation Chief Medical Officer Laura Erickson-Schroth.
Upon entering the venue, I encountered a space filled with people keen to engage in a discussion regarding a subject which has gained plenty of importance among the young generations. The conversation opened with a recorded message from Selena Gomez, who emphasized the importance of expanding access to mental health resources for young people through Rare Beauty and the Rare Impact Fund. She noted that “young people are carrying more than any generation should have to carry and the systems around them are still catching up. That gap is real and it costs us more than we know, but so does hope”. When the speakers introduced themselves, they all highlighted the growing role of entertainment and online communities in shaping conversations around emotional well-being. As the moderator, Laura invited the audience to reflect on the stories, songs and films that had once made them feel less lonely, setting the tone for a conversation focused on connection through storytelling and giving the floor to Eric.
Attendees were shown, for the first time, the premiere of a teaser for Eric’s anticipated album Confessions of a Lonely Heart. The tender voiceover spoke about solitude and desire for true human connections, providing insights into the album’s idea. Reflecting on the creative process, Eric explained that loneliness became the defining theme after writing more than 80 songs for the album. He noted that, despite living a life surrounded by fans, friends, and constant online interaction and exposure, loneliness remains a universal emotion experienced by everyone regardless of age or success. He commented that the album is not only about loneliness, but also about the optimism that comes from overcoming it and discovering ways to navigate those feeling together.
He highlighted that “we are now more connected than ever”, referring to digital communication, including messaging apps and social media. Yet, he added, many people still find themselves alone behind their screens, making real-life communities and shared experiences more valuable and essential than ever. He therefore emphasized the importance of creating spaces where people can genuinely come together. Concerts, community gatherings, as well as casual fan meetups, he explained, allow strangers to become friends through a shared love of music. Reflecting on this, Eric said: “Being open and vulnerable has allowed me to connect with fans, old and new, in a way that I never thought was really possible”.
Throughout the discussion, I noticed that one theme continued to emerge: vulnerability. Eric stated that when he started his work at a beginning stage of his career, he was advised to hide his experience of suffering from anxiety and any mental health issues thinking it would impair his professional development. Looking back, he characterized vulnerability as a sign of strength rather than weakness, encouraging individuals to reach out for help when needed, stressing that “being vocal if you need help is a courageous thing”. Responding to Laura’s question about balancing personal expression with responsibility, he explained that before sharing deeply personal experiences through his music, he first processes them with trusted people, ensuring that his songs come from a healthy place and can resonate safely with audiences.
Elyse shared how Rare Beauty was founded on the notion of mental health and self-acceptance from the start. She added that many young people now turn to the brand not only for beauty products but also to learn about mental health, discover available resources and feel less alone. The Rare Impact Fund is continuously helping organizations providing mental health services worldwide.
Noopur reflected on the increased portrayal of mental health in film and television over the last twenty years, recalling that in the early 2000s the topic was rarely part of the national or global conversation. Paramount has been involved with several entertainment companies and mental health institutions in order to facilitate correct portrayals of mental health in films. She also noted that creative teams increasingly invite experts into writers’ rooms to guide the storytelling process and that research found a 40% increase in mental health themes appearing in scripts over just a few years. She argued that authentic storytelling helps people feel seen and speak about mental health-related issues.
During the audience Q&A one participant asked Eric Nam what advice he would offer to emerging K-pop communities in countries like Greece. Eric answered by praising K-pop’s ability to bring people together across languages and cultures, encouraging fans to create welcoming and inclusive communities.
Undoubtedly, one of the messages that stood out with the conclusion of the conference was that stories have the power not only to entertain but also to help people feel seen, understood and supported. In a world where communication has taken on a new form, artists, creators and media organizations have both the power and the responsibility to contribute to a healthier cultural environment by encouraging openness, empathy and genuine human connection.
