Florida State University has become the first college campus in the nation to install a Hope Booth, an innovative resource designed to expand access to mental health support.

Located on the first floor of the Student Union, the booth offers an interactive video experience designed to deliver immediate encouragement and support.

“Florida State is actively fighting to help break down the barriers and stigma of mental health concerns,” Vice President for Student Affairs Amy Hecht said. “We are grateful to offer the Hope Booth on campus, expanding our wellness support with this innovative resource.”

FSU Counseling & Psychological Services recently celebrated the opening of the Hope Booth. Based out of Atlanta, Hope Booth is a mental health and suicide prevention nonprofit whose mission is to deliver hope and connect individuals to free support and resources.

Students, faculty, staff and visitors can visit Hope Booth any time to begin a three-minute immersive experience. There is an adjustable height button to help with viewing the screen and closed captioning accessibility. After the user answers a few questions, the narrator will provide encouraging words of hope and action steps such as deep breathing or repeating positive words of affirmation.

Gloria Umanah, founder and CEO of Hope Booth, spoke to students and staff who gathered at the Student Union for the unveiling. She asked students to think of their mental health as performing maintenance on a vehicle with certain steps car owners can take to help keep the car running before the check engine light comes on.

“We think mental health care should be the same,” Umanah said. “You don’t have to be on the verge of crises. What does it look like to take care of our mental health, to rejuvenate our own hope and then spread that hope everywhere we go so eventually we pioneer a movement where no one goes unseen?”

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