Mental health, demolition and good old-fashioned fun all go hand in hand for a new entertainment venue opening in North Augusta this coming weekend.
“My wife for many years has told me to go seek therapy,” said Darel Phillips, former U.S. Army Calvary Scout who co-founded the rage room Jekyll and Hyde Destructive Therapy, with business partner David Jones. “If something like this would’ve been in place to where I could pour out some of that stress of my cup, that’s so overfull, this would’ve helped out so much.”
Jones and Phillips are both disabled U.S. Army veterans, diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Jekyll and Hyde is an expression of their focus on shedding a spotlight on mental wellness for fellow servicemembers and other PTSD-sufferers.
The venue, classified as “therapeutic entertainment,” is in a repurposed garage and warehouse off Edgefield Road toward Belvedere. Customers will book appointments ahead of time, and upon arrival will watch a two-minute safety video and sign a waiver before suiting up with personal protective equipment.
After donning a hard hat, goggles, a mask and protective gloves, prospective destroyers will select one of several tools—ranging from crowbars to clubs to medieval-style maces—and will enter one of the “smash rooms.”
Participants get 10 minutes to themselves to release all manner of frustration or emotional stress by freely thrashing any number of breakables, from glass bottles to medium-sized electronics, and even a wrecked automobile designated for damaging.
There’s also a novelty game in the works, which Jones calls “Smash Alley,” designed for rival sports fans.
“You compete against somebody that like you’re in with, and you throw bottles at the targets and the targets will be worth whatever value,” said Jones, a former combat medic.
There are also plans to add a boxing room, a plate smashing room and a neon paint splashing room. Phillips underscores how breaking things, and getting that release in a safe context and a fun environment, can help those beset by trauma or emotional issues get to a place where they’re ready to seek further help.
“That dopamine starts working in the body, to where it’s like, ‘You know what, now I’m ready to speak to somebody,” said Phillips. “Now I realize I might have an issue, and I’m more apt to talk to a therapist after doing something like this. I’ve already released a little bit, now let’s now let’s take care of the real issue.”
Jones notes that the mental health aspect of the enterprise is not incidental, but part of its overall aim to integrate into the community, especially locals who are fellow military vets, first responders, victims of abuse and others dealing with trauma. The duo is also coordinating, with Open Healing Counseling Center, a monthly discussion group, a “safe haven” for talking about behavioral health.
“Where one person wouldn’t ordinarily open up before, on their own, but sees themselves in a group with the same people, we’re hoping to initiate that conversation,” said Jones.
Jekyll and Hyde will be the second rage room establishment in the CSRA. Dahman’s Rage Revenge Room, also owned and operated by veterans, opened in Augusta in March. Jones attributes the burgeoning interest in this kind of entertainment on the growing acceptance of the importance of mental health issues.
“I think what’s happening is people need that outlet,” he said. “And while there’s still that stigma, to a certain extent, of speaking to a therapist or of getting treatment or whatever, what we’re trying to do is at least provide a safe and secure outlet for that emotional or behavioral health imbalance or whatever’s going on.”
Jones and Phillips also emphasize that the rage room is not just for those with problems, but also for those just looking to have fun—including co-workers looking for team-building exercises or even first dates.
Jekyll and Hyde Destructive Therapy welcomes those ages 10 and up, and will have its soft opening Sunday, August 22 at noon at its location at 102 Holley Dr. in North Augusta. For booking, or more information, visit https://jekyllhydetherapy.com/, or call 1-844-253-5955.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
