Program areas at DLF
Veterans (resilient warrior program):this program provides tm training to veterans, active-duty personnel and military families. Tm has been shown to relieve symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd) and major depression among veterans. The resilient warrior program partners with major veteran service organizations including va hospitals nationwide; national defense university in Washington, dc; boulder crest retreat centers, eod warrior Foundation; residential substance abuse treatments centers in new york city; city university of new york office of veterans; numerous military bases, including ft. bragg, ft. gordon, ft. belvoir, and ft. hamilton. In 2022, dlf launched the largest study ever conducted on the impact of meditation on veterans with ptsd. The study is a multi-site randomized controlled trial that will evaluate whether tm is effective as a first line treatment for ptsd. Secondary outcomes will include depression, suicidal ideation, alcohol craving/usage, sleep quality and quality of life and include a neuroimaging and biological component, showing the impacts of tm. The 6-site study is taking place at research universities around the u.s. with approximately 360 subjects. The research study sites include; columbia university, northwell health, stanford university, ucsd, mt. Sinai and usc. The goal of the study is to secure long-term government funding for tm.
Resilient responders (law enforcement & firefighters):this program provides tm training to law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians who have experienced ptsd and substance use disorder. Program partners have included the new york city fire department, the los angeles fire department, the new york city police department, front range fire department, co and the herndon (va) police department.
Heal the healers now (healthcare):in the early days of the covid-19 pandemic, the David Lynch Foundation recognized that healthcare workers were dealing with crushing levels of stress and anxiety; making rapid, life-or-death decisions, all while putting their own health at risk. We quickly mobilized to respond to the needs of our healthcare workers. Now 3 years on, the program is needed more than ever with ptsd symptoms, burnout and staff leaving the profession due to anxiety and stress. The response from healthcare workers, hospitals, research centers, and donors has been extraordinary. As of october 2023, tm instruction has taken place in 85 hospitals and medical centers around the country, including research focused on tm and healthcare provider wellness at major research and teaching centers. Through this nationwide initiative, more healthcare workers will gain access to this powerful, non-pharmaceutical tool. In addition, hospitals, policy makers, and those concerned with the wellbeing of our nation's health care industry and its medical providers will have additional evidence of tm's effectiveness; which helps to secure and allocate funding for further tm instruction.
Other programs:the meditation center - ny:the meditation center - ny, formerly called the center for health and wellness (chw) or center for leadership and performance (clp), provides tm training courses for new york city and los angeles area business professionals. This professional development program provides a technique to overcome stress, enhance creativity, and increase stamina and efficiency. This results in greater performance in the workplace. The program provides organizations and their executives the opportunity to fulfill an important aspect of workplace training and wellness initiatives. Our newest program expansion is an onsite meditation center on the amenities floor at the beautiful new 425 park avenue building, where tenants in the building such as citadel and hellman & friedman will easily be able to learn tm. Chw also furthers awareness of the impact of dlf's work and the effectiveness of tm.healthy families healthy communities ny:the Foundation's outreach program focused on serving communities and populations that experience trauma and toxic stress in the new york city area. The populations served within healthy families healthy communities (hfhc) include students and parents in low-income schools, school teachers, community groups, latino and black community members, and college students. Instructions take place at schools, community centers, local businesses and at our dlf offices in midtown manhattan. Through this citywide initiative, dlf is working towards addressing health inequities in new york city, as well as increasing the wellness and wellbeing of nyc government workers and community members. In partnering with nyc government agencies, dlf continues the focused effort of demonstrating the effectiveness of tm and the importance of getting instructions covered by health insurance.international programs:dlf provides funding to tm programs for under-resourced and vulnerable populations beyond the united states. Dlf supports tm training to groups in asia, africa, europe and latin america.women's health initiative:the women's health initiative provides tm training for survivors of any gender or agender who have experienced domestic or gender-based violence or sexual assault. Tm is an evidence-based, alternative therapy shown to contribute to healing and empowerment. Program partners include the manhattan family justice center (an initiative of the new york city mayor's office to end domestic and gender-based violence), crime victim treatment center (the largest hospital-based victim assistance program in new york), and other domestic violence and sexual assault service providers.awareness:our awareness program produces events to increase awareness of dlf and educate the public about the impact and benefits of tm. The World's premiere artists, designers, and musicians participate in dlf's galas, special events, and auctions. Auctions offer one-of-a-kind new works and extraordinary experiences. Funds benefit the dlf's programs to reduce toxic stress and trauma, and improve the quality of life for under-resourced populations. Hiv wellness:for decades, transcendental meditation has been used as an adjunct to hiv/aids treatment by individuals who must confront serious mental/emotional challenges due to a compromised immune system. Dlf partners with organizations in the san francisco bay area to promote the power of tm to profoundly heal and restore the lives of individuals who live with hiv/aids.los angeles programs:we began serving the los angeles community in 2010. In 2019 the healthy families/healthy communities program was created to expand the mission to support students and their families in southern California. Under the hf/hc program we have forged a powerful partnership with los angeles unified school district's student health and human services department to provide tm training to their frontline mental health providers as well as district leadership. In 2022 los angeles unified school district expanded our partnership to include providing tm instruction for educators and families at individual school sites and their community wellness centers. Our public charter school program partnerships continue under the hf/hc umbrella as well. We also provide programs for community centers serving youth that have been incarcerated, veterans and first responders who suffer from symptoms of ptsd, women survivors of domestic violence, individuals in recovery from substance abuse disorders, and frontline mental health providers.mny:meditate new york will create a public-private partnership with nonprofit organizationsskilled in teaching different scientifically-proven meditation techniques to new yorkers inneed. Together, they will help to transform the cityhealing trauma, building resilience,and promoting physical and mental well-being during these challenging times.washington, dc:the meditation center (tmc) at thearc (town hall Education arts recreation campus) is a division of the center for resilience of the David Lynch Foundation. Since 2018, we have continued to work in partnership with 13 nationally acclaimed organizations based at thearc, and with several longstanding community-based organizations to provide tm courses and ongoing support to residents of one of dc's most under-resourced communities. Collaborations have been fostered and expanded with organizations such as: children's national health system, community of hope, dc central kitchen, horton's kids, whitman walker health, bellevue family success center, and others. The service that tmc is providing to the community is helping to eradicate the epidemic of toxic stress and trauma and improve the quality of people's lives.