Transcendental Meditation for the Homeless

Homelessness in America

Addressing a national shame

  • An estimated 3.5 million people were homeless at some point last year,
    including 1.4 million children
  • Each night, more than 700,000 people are homeless
  • Roughly 30% of homeless people have been incarcerated

While job availability and affordable housing are important, mental health is critical to preventing homelessness. In fact, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that 20–25% of homeless men and women struggle to cope with a severe mental illness.

Our approach: tools to overcome traumatic stress and improve mental health

The David Lynch Foundation collaborates with leading homeless rehabilitation programs in New York City and Los Angeles to empower homeless and low-income men and women with a simple, self-sufficient and powerful tool to relieve stress and overcome negative emotions and addictive behavior. This tool—the Transcendental Meditation technique—has been shown by hundreds of peer-reviewed studies and millions of dollars in grants from the National Institutes of Health to deliver unparalleled relief from stress and stress-related illness. Key findings include:

  • Reduced substance abuse (twice as effective as conventional approaches)
  • Decreased anger and conflict
  • Reduced insomnia
  • Decreased anxiety (twice as effective as other relaxation techniques)
  • Reduced symptoms of depression
  • Improved job performance

View the complete research bibliography

About the Transcendental Meditation technique

Transcendental Meditation is a simple, natural, effortless technique—easily learned by anyone, regardless of age, educational background, or walk of life. Practiced for twenty minutes, twice daily, the technique produces a profound state of rest and relaxation that heals the lingering effects of deeply traumatic experiences and allows individuals to move forward with their lives.

Help support the Foundation's outreach to the homeless

Millions of men and women are victims of homelessness every year. Help provide the healing benefits of TM to homeless and low-income men, women and children in New York City and Los Angeles who are struggling with mental illness and addiction.
Donate today!