Mental health challenges affect one in five adults in the United States, and access to immediate, approachable support can make a meaningful difference. The Hope Booth is designed to meet people where they are by offering a moment of calm, connection, and guidance in the midst of daily life.
The Hope Booth is a reimagined telephone booth that provides short, interactive, and immersive experiences in both English and Spanish. Users can engage in guided breathing exercises, receive words of encouragement, and connect with local mental health and community resources within a five-mile radius. These resources may include therapy providers, shelters, food assistance, financial services, and more. The booth uses directional sound technology to create a private, immersive experience without the need for headphones.
The installation is made possible through the support of Simple Modern, which provided funding to bring the first Hope Booth to Oklahoma City as part of its commitment to giving back 10 percent of its profits to impactful 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 proud to partner with an organization working to make support easier so people can connect with free or low-cost local resources. 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 sees the Hope Booth as a natural addition to one of downtown’s most unique public spaces. “The Underground is already a place where downtown employees and visitors come to walk, recharge, and take a break from the day,” said Kristen Vails, Director of Place Management. “With its distinctive lighting and expansive pathways, it offers a calming, immersive environment. The Hope Booth complements that experience by providing an accessible tool to support mental health in a meaningful way.”
Located in Yellow Hall, the Hope Booth will be available to the public during the Underground’s operating hours, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., offering a free and accessible resource for anyone who may need a moment of support.
ABOUT DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY PARTNERSHIP
Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership (DOKC) is the 501(c)(6) nonprofit urban place management organization whose mission is to create and champion a vibrant and diverse downtown through placemaking, advocacy, and promotion. DOKC also manages and maintains the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) and fosters an environment of creativity and culture through public art and activation via Downtown OKC Initiatives. The BID delivers street-level amenities such as street cleaning, landscaping and trash pickup, produces events, and provides additional services such as marketing, branding and programming. For more information, visit DowntownOKC.com.
ABOUT HOPE BOOTH
Hope Booth is a human-centered initiative expanding access to emotional wellness through evidence-based, three-minute immersive experiences housed in a reimagined telephone booth. Designed in collaboration with a global Science Board of licensed neurologists, psychologists, therapists, and social workers, each Hope Booth delivers moments of hope while connecting individuals to free and cost-reduced local mental health resources and support services. With a vision to place Hope Booths in communities worldwide, from street corners to schools and workplaces, Hope Booth aims to make support accessible anytime, anywhere. For more information, visit HopeBooth.org.
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