Impact & Savings – Health

40%

Reduction in

Psychological Distress,

Including Stress and Depression

47%

Reduction in Heart Attacks,

Strokes and Mortality

33%

Decrease in Anxiety

PTSD: Reduction in 10 Days

Non-symptomatic in 3 Months

28%

Decrease High Medical Costs

After 5 Years of TM

40%

Reduction in

Psychological Distress,

Including Stress and Depression

47%

Reduction in Heart Attacks,

Strokes and Mortality

33%

Decrease in Anxiety

PTSD: Reduction in 10 Days

Non-symptomatic in 3 Months

28%

Decrease High Medical Costs

After 5 Years of TM

… Diving Easily Deep Within

…Promoting Mental Health, Resilience And Well-being

“Those who do invest in mental health will reap rewards” (World Health Organization)

… Diving Easily

Deep Within

…Promoting

Mental Health,

Resilience

And Well-being

“Those who do invest in mental health will reap rewards” (World Health Organization)

The cost to society of the health sector

According to an OECD report of 2018, mental health problems affect about 84 million people in the EU, including anxiety, depression drug and alcohol use disorders. These figures include a considerable number of children who may be affected throughout their lives. Over 84.000 people died of mental health problems and suicide across the EU in 2015. In 2015, the overall costs related to mental ill-health were estimated to have exceeded 4% of GDP across the 28 EU countries. This equates to more than €600 billion.

Good mental health is absolutely fundamental to overall health and well-being.

COVID-19 has interrupted essential mental health services around the world just when they’re needed most.

World leaders must move fast and decisively to invest more in life-saving mental health programmes

during the pandemic and beyond.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,

Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO)

Good mental health is absolutely fundamental to overall health and well-being.

COVID-19 has interrupted essential mental health services around the world just when they’re needed most.

World leaders must move fast and decisively to invest more in life-saving mental health programmes during the pandemic and beyond.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,

Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO)

MENTAL ILL-HEALTH

Reduced Cost Of Mental ill-Health Through TM

COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND GROWING CONCERN ABOUT PEOPLE’S MENTAL HEALTH

The W orld H ealth O rganisation (WHO) has recently highlighted how the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted or halted critical mental health services in 93% of countries worldwide while the demand for mental health is increasing. The WHO has previously highlighted the chronic underfunding of mental health: prior to the pandemic, countries were spending less than 2% of their national health budgets on mental health, and struggling to meet their populations’ needs.

According to the WHO, pre-COVID-19 estimates reveal that, among 130 countries, nearly US$ 1 trillion in economic productivity is lost annually from depression and anxiety alone. However, studies show that every US$ 1 spent on evidence-based care for depression and anxiety returns US$5.

INCREASING DEMAND FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WITH COVID

The pandemic is increasing demand for mental health services. Bereavement, isolation, loss of income and fear are triggering mental health conditions or exacerbating existing ones. Many people may be facing increased levels of alcohol and drug use, insomnia, and anxiety. Meanwhile, COVID-19 itself can lead to neurological and mental complications, such as delirium, agitation, and stroke. People with pre-existing mental, neurological or substance use disorders are also more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection ̶ they may stand a higher risk of severe outcomes and even death.

The European Commission voices substantial concerns about mental health and well-being in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO recommends that countries allocate resources to mental health as an integral component of their Response and Recovery Plans. «Spending 2% of national health budgets on mental health is not enough. International funders also need to do more: mental health still receives less than 1% of international aid earmarked for health.»

GOVERNMENTAL SAVINGS THROUGH TM

Costs of treating mental ill-health, both in the EU and across the globe, are rising. Based on previous studies, which show a significant reduction (an average of 45%) in depression, anxiety and drug/alcohol use, amongst Transcendental Meditation participants, we foresee that the application of the TM programme, for people of all ages, in the sectors of health, education and business, could have an enormous positive impact for society.

This could lead to a reduction of government expenses both in the EU and across the globe in the order of hundreds of billions euro, saving lives while boosting economic productivity. Even more is saved when the additional costs caused by mental ill-health in related sectors such as education and rehabilitation are taken into account.

CARDIOVASCULAR / CHRONIC DISEASES

Reduced Costs Of Health Care Through TM

CARDIOVASCULAR /

CHRONIC DISEASES

Reduced Costs

Of Health Care Through TM

The American Heart Association now recommends Transcendental Meditation in the treatment of cardiovascular disease

A scientific statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) found evidence that TM reduces blood pressure and states that “Transcendental Meditation may be considered in clinical practice to lower Blood Pressure.”

A randomised controlled trial of 201 black men and women with coronary heart disease showed reduced rates of death, heart attacks and strokes with TM

Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. 2012;5:750–758

The American Heart Association now recommends Transcendental Meditation in the treatment of cardiovascular disease

A randomized controlled trial of 201 black men and women with coronary heart disease showed reduced rates of death, heart attacks and strokes with TM

Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. 2012;5:750–758

DECREASED HEART DISEASES AMONGST PRACTITIONERS OF TM

According to 2017 statistics from the European Heart Network (EHN), each year cardiovascular disease (CVD) causes 3.9 million deaths in Europe with an average cost per year to the EU economy of over €210 billion.

Based on previous cross sectional, longitudinal, and RCT studies that have consistently reported decreases of the order of 50% in heart disease amongst participants of the Transcendental Meditation programme, as well as significant reductions in chronic health problems, such as diabetes, cancer, immune system disorders, substance abuse, and obesity, we foresee that the application of the TM programme could be a promising tool for creating a more effective, people-centred and resilient health system, and thus society, while also bringing about a reduction in the costs for the EU health system in the order of about €100 billion a year.

MEDICAL COSTS

Decrease Of High Medical Costs After Five Years of Practice of TM

Fewer hospital admissions in all diseases categories

THE COST OF HEALTH CARE IN EUROPE

In 2017, spending on health care in the European Union stood at 9.6% of GDP, ranging from over 11% in France and Germany equivalent to €369 billion to less than 6% in Romania.

REDUCED MEDICAL COSTS THROUGH TM

According to a newly published Canadian study to determine whether the Transcendental Meditation technique can affect the costs to the physician of treating consistently high-cost people, i.e. people with consistently high health care costs, there was a 28% cumulative decrease in physician fees after an average of five years practising TM compared with their baseline.

Earlier studies found that the group practising TM had reduced medical expenses of between 5% and 13% relative to comparison subjects, over each year for six consecutive years. In a subsequent Canadian study of senior citizens, the TM group’s five-year cumulative reduction for people aged 65 years and older relative to comparison subjects was 70%.

Other studies show that the practitioners of TM have lower medical utilisation rates on a range of 17 major medical treatment categories, including -55.4% for benign and malignant tumours -87.3% for heart disease, -30.4% for all infectious diseases, -30.6% for all mental disorders, and -87.3% for diseases of the nervous system.

In a sample of American health insurance enrollee, the TM participants had reduced rates of illness in all disease categories. An eleven-year, cross-sectional study in Iowa found that subjects aged 45 and over who practised the TM technique had 88% fewer hospital days compared with controls. Their medical expenditures were 60% below the norm.

POLICY IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: WHAT COULD BE GOVERNMENTAL SAVINGS?

These findings have major policy implications in terms of saving government health expenditure and suggest that it may be possible to rescue government health expenditure and health insurances expenses by adding the cost of learning the Transcendental Meditation technique in schools and in society in general.

High medical costs decrease 28%

after 5 years of

Transcendental Meditation practice

High medical costs

decrease 28%

after 5 years of

Transcendental Meditation

practice

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)

Reducing PTSD – Saving lives and health costs associated with PTSD through TM

An innovative and effective solution to support people and governments to recover from the very high levels of stress experienced during this world pandemic

A PANDEMIC OF STRESS AND PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common consequence of exposure to extremely stressful acute circumstances or traumatic events such as extreme violence, or physical assault, or near-death experiences such as surviving war or a natural disaster. These events can cause severe emotional and physical disruption to the victim’s life. Symptoms typically involve “re-experiencing” the event through flashbacks, memories, thoughts and dreams.

Some of the most common symptoms of PTSD include recurring memories or nightmares of the event, sleeplessness, loss of interest, feelings of numbness, anger or irritability, or being constantly on guard, but there are many other ways in which PTSD can impact everyday life.

PTSD is associated with comorbidities such as major depression, substance abuse, suicide, and poor physical health.

COVID19: A GROWING NUMBER OF PEOPLE VULNERABLE TO PTSD

COVID-19 has already led to diverse mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other trauma and stress-related disorders.

Different groups have met the qualifying criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) according to DSM-5 [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders] as a result of the pandemic. This includes:

Healthcare workers who have close contact with COVID patients and that are witnessing increased illnesses and deaths
Those who have themselves suffered from serious COVID-19 illness and potential death;
Individuals who have witnessed others’ suffering and death;
Individuals who have learned about the death or risk of death of a family member or friend due to the virus;
Individuals who have experienced extreme exposure to aversive details (e.g. journalists, first responders, medical examiners and hospital personnel).

Moreover, studies have explored other stressors adding to individuals’ emotional burdens, such as social isolation, unemployment and economic losses, and working from home while caring for children and other family members.

TRAUMA AND THE COVID PANDEMIC

«COVID-19 has quickly become a global health emergency resulting in not only physical health concerns but also psychological concerns as people are exposed to unexpected deaths or threats of death. For example, healthcare workers who have close contact with COVID patients are not only exposed to the virus on a regular basis, but they may also be witnessing increased illnesses, deaths, and supply shortages. In addition, patients admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 experience social isolation, physical discomfort, and fear for survival. These exposures increase the risk of developing PTSD. In addition, the risk may further be enhanced during the subsequent weeks when these individuals may lack immediate social support due to the need to self-quarantine.»

Ref: medicine_umich_edu_dept_psychiatry_michigan_psychiions_posttraumatic_stress_disorder_during_covid_19

TREATING PTSD TODAY

It is widely recognised that the current pharmacological and psychotherapeutic approaches to treating PTSD are not fully adequate because of limitations in both effectiveness and acceptability to patients. As a consequence, there is an acknowledged need to identify new approaches to treating PTSD that are both effective and acceptable.

REDUCTION OF SYMPTOMS IN 10 DAYS, NON-SYMPTOMATIC IN 3 MONTHS WITH TM

According to a study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress, 50% of veterans who learned the Transcendental Meditation technique no longer met criteria for PTSD after just three months compared to only 10% who achieved the same success without TM. The study also showed significant reductions in veterans’ symptoms of depression and anxiety, and sleep difficulties. These research results corroborate the findings of a large clinical trial published in November 2018 in The Lancet Psychiatry as well as findings published in 2011 and 2017 in Military Medicine.

AN INNOVATIVE SOLUTION TO CURE PTSD: TM AS AN EFFECTIVE, NON-TRAUMA-FOCUSED TECHNIQUE

A new study on the effectiveness of Transcendental Meditation in the treatment of PTSD found reductions in PTSD scores on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) in both TM and Prolonged Exposure (PE) groups versus a health education (HE) group. Moreover, 61% of those receiving TM, 42% of those receiving PE, and 32% of those receiving HE showed clinically significant improvements on the CAPS score.

«Transcendental Meditation is a non-trauma-focused, easy-to-learn technique that was found in this study to improve PTSD symptoms, likely through the experience of physical rest» – Mayer Bellehsen, Director – Unified Behavioural Health Center for Military Veterans and their Families, Northwell Health.

The study indicates that Transcendental Meditation (TM) is effective in reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans and may be a helpful alternative for those who prefer not to receive or do not respond to traditional trauma-focused prolonged exposure (PE) therapy.

COSTS SAVINGS THROUGH TM

These findings provide evidence that support the use of Transcendental Meditation for the treatment of PTSD and as a tool to be readily implemented in governments’ health care systems to help treat people affected by trauma and PTSD who do not respond to or avoid treatment with trauma-focused therapies. Since patients with PTSD have lifelong high medical costs, especially with multiple chronic conditions, one could infer at least a cumulative savings in costs. The findings by Nidich and colleagues suggest that TM is one of the few interventions for which benefits could be immediately translated into improved care in our health system and which could have a substantial effect on health if widely disseminated.

TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION:

A VERY EFFECTIVE ANSWER

TO THE GROWING GLOBAL NEED

FOR MENTAL WELL-BEING

IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF SOCIETY

EDUCATORS

AND STUDENTS

EMPLOYEES

BUSINESSES

ENTREPRENEURS

HEALTH CARE

PROVIDERS

GENERAL

POPULATION

SUPPORTING GOVERNMENT POLICIES

PROTECTING MENTAL HEALTH OF WORKERS

SUPPORTING

GOVERNMENT POLICIES

PROTECTING

MENTAL HEALTH OF WORKERS

PROMOTING EMPLOYEES’ MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION

There are a variety of key benefits which organisations will experience from maintaining employees’ mental health in the workplace, such as improvement in employee well-being, job satisfaction, increased engagement, commitment and productivity.

Transcendental Meditation is an effective instrument that can support and protect the mental health of workers, and that can easily be integrated into workplace systems.

Governments may consider including TM as a mental health and psycho-social measure within national COVID-19 response and exit strategies, in order to improve people’s coping skills during the crisis, reduce suffering, and accelerate the recovery and the rebuilding of communities. The Transcendental Meditation programme also increases creativity, intelligence, adaptability and resilience, contributing towards creating a resilient society.

A PRACTICAL AND EFFECTIVE INSTRUMENT TO SUPPORT MEDICAL PROVIDERS

Transcendental Meditation is an effective instrument for supporting medical providers who are on the front line of the coronavirus pandemic, and who are at risk of burnout from the large amount of extra pressure currently being added to the their already heavy workload.

Impacting The Health of Society

Improving Lives

And Saving Government Costs

Through TM

A very effective and innovative solution for:

Reducing stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, substance and alcohol abuse, PTSD Symptoms, fear

Improving mental health and well-being

Improving heart health

Increasing motivation, self-confidence, resilience, emotional intelligence, coping ability, job satisfaction

Supporting governments to create a more effective people-centred and resilient health system, saving lives and reducing the costs associated with health care

stress

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Hospital admissions

Alcohol

Burnout

distress

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Explore more research evidence on the effect of TM for promoting physical and mental health and well-being

Improved Clinical Outcome

and Reduced Need for

Pharmacological and Surgical Treatments

Thousands of physicians worldwide

recommend the practice of the

Transcendental Meditation technique

to their patients

A scientific statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) found evidence that TM reduces blood pressure and states that “TM may be considered in clinical practice to lower BP.” By contrast, the report found insufficient evidence to recommend other meditation techniques for blood pressure reduction.