A group of combat veterans is coming to Bethesda to present a free public forum on Transcendental Meditation, a technique the group says is proven to help improve the mental health of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The event, “Healing the Hidden Wounds of War: How Meditation Can Help Veterans Combat PTSD,” is set for 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17 at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center (4805 Edgemoor Lane.)

It’s free and will include talks from veterans who use Transcendental Meditation (known as TM) and a video presentation from Dr. Norman Rosenthal, the former researcher at the National Institute for Mental Health in Bethesda who has talked about the effect TM can have on PTSD victims.

TM requires the person doing it to use a mantra while closing their eyes and sitting for 15 to 20 minutes twice a day.

The event is organized by Operation Warrior Wellness, an initiative from the foundation of movie director David Lynch. Lynch, who practices TM, made a $100,000 donation to start the initiative among combat veterans.

For more information on the event and to register, visit the event site.

The video above is of Iraq War veteran David George, a Maryland native who will speak at the forum.

Video via meditationchannel