Oslo opens mental health pause room during Pride

Oslo’s central station will host a mental health pause room this Saturday as the city fills with Pride celebrations, a rock festival, and football screenings, Dagbladet reports.

Mental Helse Ungdom will open Pauserommet in Flytoget’s departure hall from 10:00 to 16:00, offering a quiet space for anyone overwhelmed by the crowds. The initiative targets those who may struggle with the intensity of large events, including Pride’s parade, Tons of Rock festival, and World Cup screenings.

“It’s not just Pride—there’s a lot happening at once,” said Lars-Erik Edvardsen, project leader at Mental Helse Ungdom. “The need for a low-threshold space grows with the number of people gathering, and alcohol is often involved.”

Pauserommet provides a shielded area where visitors can rest, drink water, or talk to trained volunteers. The service is free, open to all ages, and designed for those experiencing anxiety, sensory overload, or distress in crowded settings.

This marks the first time the organisation has set up a dedicated pause room during Oslo Pride, though it has previously offered similar support at other events. The concept began four years ago in Kristiansand.