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OKLAHOMA CITY — A new Hope Booth designed to provide accessible mental health support will be unveiled in downtown Oklahoma City during a ribbon cutting April 17 at the Underground in Yellow Hall.
The event will begin at 11 a.m. Friday near the Broadway and Robert S. Kerr Avenue entrance.
The installation is intended to offer a free, approachable resource for people experiencing mental health challenges. Organizers note that mental health conditions affect one in five adults in the United States, and the booth is designed to provide immediate, in-the-moment support in a public setting.
The Hope Booth is a reimagined telephone booth that offers short, interactive experiences in both English and Spanish. It includes guided breathing exercises, encouraging messages and access to local mental health and community resources within a five-mile radius. Resources may include therapy providers, shelters, food assistance and financial services. Directional sound technology allows users to have a private, immersive experience without headphones.
The project was made possible through funding from Simple Modern, which donates 10% of its profits to community-focused initiatives.
“The Hope Booth makes mental health resources more visible and accessible in everyday places,” said Mike Beckham, founder and CEO of Simple Modern. “We’re thankful to play even a small part in creating moments of encouragement and connection that can make a real difference for someone who may be struggling.”
Downtown OKC Partnership Director of Place Management Kristen Vails said the Underground provides a natural setting for the installation, noting its calm, immersive environment and pedestrian-friendly design.
The Hope Booth will be available to the public during Underground hours, Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and is free for anyone to use during operating hours.