First of its kind: University of Melbourne and Cheetah House partner to provide affordable access to Australian and New Zealander meditators in distress.

Although frequently touted as a universal cure-all for modern society's afflictions, meditation can result in unwanted side effects if practiced without appropriate caution. One estimate suggests that as many as 30-50% of people experience a meditation-related adverse event. The most common experiences are anxiety, depression, and difficulties concentrating, but in some cases, the experiences can be as extreme as becoming suicidal, having a psychotic episode, or feeling a strong disconnection to one’s sense of who they are (i.e., dissociation or depersonalisation). 

Australian and New Zealand meditators who have experienced such difficulties have often struggled to find appropriate support. In a ground-breaking collaboration, the Contemplative Studies Centre (CSC) at The University of Melbourne has joined forces with Cheetah House to introduce a pioneering subsidy program aimed at assisting individuals experiencing difficulties in their meditation practice. Under this scheme, eligible meditators in Australia and New Zealand can access significant services provided by Cheetah House at a highly reduced cost until 31 December 2024.* 

One Australian early user of the program commented “This is the best news I’ve heard in years…Cheetah House saved my life. I survived by making Skype calls from Australia to USA for years. Increasing awareness around this issue in Australia is one more critical step on my journey to recovery.”

The initiative is an important step towards promoting safe and effective contemplative practices and providing appropriate support to meditators who may experience adverse reactions.

"We are delighted to partner with Cheetah House in subsidising selected services for meditators in distress in the first initiative of its kind in Australia and New Zealand. We know that people are suffering without access to trauma-informed support, and we believe that our collaboration will enhance the accessibility and quality of meditation support services, such that we can minimise the harms and optimise the benefits of meditation" said A/Prof Nicholas Van Dam, Director of the Contemplative Studies Centre.

The subsidy scheme will enable Australian and New Zealand meditators in distress to access selected services provided by Cheetah House at a reduced cost. The services include private consultations, group support, and education, among others, and are designed to address the various challenges that meditators may encounter. 

"Through our partnership with the CSC, we are thrilled to offer subsidised services to meditators in need. Cheetah House’s mission of providing support and education is well-aligned with the CSC's dedication to promoting authentic contemplative practices. By joining forces, we can expand our reach globally and offer invaluable support to those Australians and New Zealanders navigating the challenges of meditation," expressed Dr Willoughby Britton, Director of Cheetah House.

Cheetah House provides support to those experiencing meditation-related difficulties, trains meditation providers in understanding and treating meditation adverse effects in a person-centred way and empowers people to make informed decisions about the role of meditation in their lives. In a world where claims about meditation are often overhyped, Cheetah House aims to provide a balanced, realistic, and informed perspective about the risks associated with meditation through the dissemination of research-based information.

Another Australian adopter of the scheme shared that "For four years I have had debilitating symptoms of post meditation adverse effects for which I could not find any local meditation practitioners nor psychologists that could assist. Eventually I found Cheetah House in the USA that had a scientifically researched codification of my symptoms and has provided me and many other worldwide with remote support, education and treatment. Over the last year I have improved significantly and now have the hope to recover. Upon hearing about the partnership between Cheetah House and University of Melbourne a deep sense of gratitude filled me for both the Australian support but more importantly that adverse meditation effects are getting the needed attention in Australia to prevent it from happening to others and provide future treatment"

The Contemplative Studies Centre (CSC) works with interdisciplinary collaborators across the University of Melbourne, in the broader community and worldwide to develop, deliver, support and promote innovative and authentic contemplative practices through their three programs of engagement, education, and practice, underpinned by a strong foundation of research. In line with this focus, the CSC has established the subsidy scheme to facilitate access for Australian and New Zealand meditators to the world-leading services provided by Cheetah House.

CSC is contributing US$21,000 to this scheme which will run through to 30 June 2024.

*For information on how to access the CSC subsidy scheme and important terms and conditions, visit: Cheetahhouse.org/um-disclaimer