The Family Behind Indonesia's Wardah Support Research Into Faith and Mental Health at Stanford Medicine

A new fund from the family behind ParagonCorp, maker of the Wardah brand, will support the Stanford Muslim Mental Health & Islamic Psychology Lab

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The founding family of ParagonCorp, Indonesia's largest domestic cosmetics and personal care company, has made a gift to Stanford University to support research on mental health among Muslims.

The gift establishes the Paragon-Wardah Research Fund at the Stanford School of Medicine. The fund will support the Stanford Muslim Mental Health & Islamic Psychology Lab, directed by psychiatrist Rania Awaad, MD.

"We believe that well-being is whole: body, mind and spirit. Supporting Dr. Awaad's lab is our way of helping build knowledge that allows Muslims everywhere to receive mental health care that understands their faith," said Dr. Sari Chairunnisa, Deputy CEO and Chief of Research and Development of ParagonCorp. "We want Muslims, in Indonesia and elsewhere, to be able to get care that takes their faith seriously."

The lab studies mental health and psychology in the context of Islam and Muslim communities. Its research covers the needs of Muslim patients, the stigma that keeps many from seeking care, and the link between mental health and spirituality. Its published work spans Islamic psychology, suicide response, substance use, refugee mental health and student mental health.

"We are deeply grateful to the founding family of ParagonCorp for their belief in this work," said Dr. Awaad, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine. "Support like this allows us to keep building the knowledge that clinicians, educators and faith leaders need to care for Muslim communities with both skill and understanding."

The gift comes from a country where the need is large. Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population. A 2022 national survey, the Indonesia National Adolescent Mental Health Survey (I-NAMHS), found that about one in three Indonesians aged 10 to 17, or roughly 15.5 million young people, had a mental health problem in the previous year. Only 2.6 percent of them sought support or counseling.

"For many of our patients, faith is a source of strength during recovery, but mental health care has often left it out," Awaad said. "This gift helps us carry out research and training for communities where stigma still stops people from asking for help, including in Indonesia."

The Paragon-Wardah Research Fund is an expendable fund. It supports the lab's overall mission under Awaad's direction, and the lab sets its own research priorities.

About ParagonCorp

ParagonCorp is an Indonesia-based multinational Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) company founded in 1985. Its journey began with PT Paragon Technology and Innovation (Paragon), Indonesia's largest national cosmetics company, home to a portfolio of beauty and personal care brands including Wardah, Make Over, Emina, Kahf, Putri, Crystallure, Instaperfect, Biodef, Tavi, OMG, Earth Love Life, LABORÉ, Light+ by Wardah, DSE Dermascalp Expert, and Wardah Bright Now.

ParagonCorp is recognized as a certified halal cosmetics manufacturer operating under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, delivering quality makeup, skincare, haircare, and personal care products to consumers. With a workforce of over 17,000 employees with more than 2,000 SKUs, ParagonCorp has expanded its market reach across Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam.

Beyond beauty and personal care, ParagonCorp continues to grow through business diversification in distribution and direct trade via PT Parama Global Inspira and PT Paranova Global Optima.

As a Purposeful Beauty Tech Company, ParagonCorp is committed to delivering products and initiatives that create meaningful impact for communities, the environment, partners, and all Paragonians. Rooted in our five core values: Faith, Care, Humility, Resilience, and Innovation.

Visit www.paragon-innovation.com or follow ParagonCorp on Instagram @paragoncorp and TikTok @paragoncorp.id

Sam Amsterdam
Global Communications Counsel
ParagonCorp.
[email protected]

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SOURCE ParagonCorp