“Change Begins Within”
David Lynch
The independent David Lynch Foundation Switzerland (DLF CH), was founded on 21 November 2024:
The Foundation is Tax‑exempt and under the supervision of the Swiss Federal Foundation Supervisory Authority (ESA), DLF CHF operates under a personal agreement with David Lynch, the world‑renowned film director, screenwriter and artist (deceased 16 January 2025) with Swiss charitable purposes modelled on those of DLF USA.
About Us
There’s a dramatic increase in youth loneliness worldwide:
Twice the number of adolescents reported feeling lonely in 2018 versus 2012
Made even worse by the pandemic and breakdown in healthy social connection
Youth who feel more connected to their peers and communities exhibit better overall mental health outcomes.
Facts & Figures
Youth are experiencing rising mental health needs and aren’t getting the support they need:
Prevalence of mental health problems in youth (~14-19 yrs)
A UNICEF-study (covering Switzerland & Liechtenstein) found that about 37% of adolescents report being affected by mental health problems. Among these, key issues include anxiety and/or depression.
1 in 7 adolescents globally live with a mental health disorder
3 mental health workers per 100,000 youth and wider population is not equipped to support youth
50% of all mental health conditions manifest by the age of 18, and 75% by age 24
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among young people:
Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death among 15-19-year-olds
Every year, almost 46,000 young people (age 10 to 19) end their own lives; One every 11 minutes.
Every $1 invested in protecting adolescent mental health results in $24 in health and economic benefits
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World Health Organization (WHO), Health 2020:
Stress is the greatest health threat of the 21st century.Health Promotion Switzerland, Job Stress Index 2018:
Stress: Around one in four employed persons experiences stress, meaning more demands than resources in the workplace.
Exhaustion: The proportion of emotionally exhausted individuals tends toward 30%.
Productivity losses: Stress costs employers around CHF 6.5 billion per year.
Stress – THE problem in everyday school life
Stress, performance pressure, and being overwhelmed are part of daily life for about half of Swiss adolescents (46 percent), according to the Swiss youth study Juvenir by the Jacobs Foundation (2015). Only 14% of respondents reported being rarely or never stressed.Health Promotion Switzerland 2019:
Teachers and school administrators are more frequently affected by symptoms of exhaustion and mental illness than other professional groups.
Vision:
To support individuals and organizations with scientifically validated consciousness‑based practice, of Transcendental Meditation, to overcome stress‑related issues and achieve high levels of mental and physical well‑being.
“Individual peace is the unite of world peace”
David Lynch
The foundation promotes projects utilizing consciousness‑based programs—especially the evidence‑based Transcendental Meditation (TM) and advanced techniques—supported by scientific findings in mental and physical health, stress reduction, resilience, and human potential development.
Mission:
Priority focus on the deep relaxation technique of Transcendental Meditation: achieving medically‑proven rest often deeper than deep sleep, to eliminate burdens that ordinary sleep can no longer resolve.
A lifelong foundational strategy, effortless and simple, teachable to children from age 10
For sustainable wellness—mental, physical and emotional resilience
Program of Transcendental Meditation
“I started Transcendental Meditation in 1973 and have not missed a single meditation ever since. Twice a day, every day. It has given me effortless access to unlimited reserves of energy, creativity and happiness deep within.” - David Lynch
In the realms of education, healthcare, rehabilitation, and peace‑promotion
In collaboration with national and international partners:
In Switzerland—support for educational institutions, healthcare facilities, companies, and individuals in need
In eastern Congo—supporting three active trauma‑healing and resilience projects in communities and schools (about 16,000 people reached)
Ongoing project in Thailand: sustainable schooling and accommodation for around 2,000 underprivileged girls
Additional development‑aid partnerships in progress (e.g. International Banks.)
Projects
David Lynch Foundation Switzerland & Partners
David Lynch Foundation Switzerland hosts a longevity panel with Estée Lauder moderated by Nina Ruge: full-day event and panel discussions in partnership with Estée Lauder Switzerland, on September 7, 2024, at the Signau House in Zurich – an exclusive gathering of 25–30 selected guests - Image Gallery
Continuation of the networking efforts launched in February 2024 for DLF Switzerland through our internationally active advisor (Régis Huf), who specializes in family foundations (including one renowned Austrian family from Salzburg)
Ongoing support for the DLF Foundation by the DLF Resilience Center GmbH – both in terms of personnel (service provision) and material, through regular transfers of approximately 10% of coaching revenues as donations
Collaboration with Clinique La Prairie in the Montreux Riviera (contact: Adrian Ionescu)
Collaboration with Anima Frequency at the Six Senses Crans Montana
At the beginning of June 2025, the Six Senses Crans-Montana resort in the Swiss Alps was transformed into the setting for this year's Alma Frequency Festival . For four days, the focus was on health, exercise, nutrition, and, above all, holistic regeneration of body and mind.
The David Lynch Foundation Switzerland was actively involved in the Alma Frequency Festival 2025, promoting Transcendental Meditation (TM) as a powerful tool for well-being. Adrian Ionescu, a certified TM teacher and board member of the David Lynch Foundation Switzerland, introduced participants to TM, emphasizing its impact as a practice for stress reduction, mental wellness, and emotional resilience.
Support for approx. 40 individuals (depending on donation inflows), who meet the foundation board’s criteria for project eligibility – with a focus during the first two years on mental, physical, and psychological health, as well as migration
Project collaboration: David Lynch Foundation Switzerland partners with the Zurich Film Festival (ZFF) to host a homage to David Lynch, with special guest Dakota Johnson.
TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION FOR ME BRINGS MORE AND MORE HAPPINESS. AND THIS HAPPINESS COMES FROM WITHIN, BUT THEN, AS A RESULT OF THE INNER HAPPINESS GROWING, THE OUTSIDE SEEMS TO BE HAPPIER ALSO.
- David Lynch
Hear from TM Practitioners
Bob Roth
What is TM with Bob Roth - A Complete Introduction
Ray Dalio
Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Martin Scorcese sit with DLF Executive Director Bob Roth to discuss their practice of the evidence-based Transcendental Meditation technique.
Ellen DeGeneres
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
Jerry Seinfield
“It’s like a charger for your body and mind”
Jerry Seinfeld & George Stephanopoulos talk Transcendental Meditation on Good Morning America
