Healthcare professionals
@ease is a scientifically proven peer-to-peer intervention. Many young people struggle with stress, depression, or questions about themselves. Sometimes they’re searching, sometimes they’re already struggling.
If you’re a GP, practice nurse, or youth worker, you’ve probably seen them: young people with vague complaints, too much on their mind, or just unsure where else to go. @ease is a safe first step, free, and no waiting list.
Why @ease works
@ease is unique
At @ease, they can have a conversation with trained peers. Not clinical, but professional. And that makes us unique in the Dutch healthcare system.
The OECD has recognised @ease as a proven way to help young people with mental health struggles, early on, before things get worse.
Fellow young people
At @ease, young people talk to peer listeners: young volunteers between the ages of 18 and 30 who understand what it’s like when life gets tough. They’re specially trained to be good listeners.
Scientific research shows that this equality ensures:
- Young people who visit @ease function better at school, work and socially
- Their mental tension (distress) decreases significantly
- School absenteeism decreased by 29.2% among young people who attended three or more times
- More than 90% are (very) satisfied with the conversations
Did you know that…
Three out of four mental health issues start before age 25. And yet, only 30% of young people get the right help. Surprised?
Why @ease works
Scientific research shows that our approach ensures:
- Lower threshold for talking
- Faster trust and openness
- More sense of recognition
- Faster relief from mental tension
The OECD has named @ease one of the top 11 best practices for youth mental health in 65 countries. In their 2025 report Mental Health Promotion and Prevention, @ease is listed as an early-intervention example that works — it’s effective, affordable, and easy to put into practice.
A proven addition to your healthcare practice
@ease is intended for young people:
- Those who do not (yet) want or dare to ask for help
- Not having anyone in their environment to talk to (or wanting to talk to)
- Those waiting for treatment
- Those who have just left and are missing aftercare
- Those struggling with questions for which there is currently no suitable offer
We’re not here to replace mental health care, we’re here to fill the gap. To spot problems early and support young people before things get worse.
This is what an @ease conversation looks like
A young person comes to one of our locations or joins the online chat. In a safe, calm setting, they talk with two peer listeners. Every location is supported by professionals and on-call psychiatrists, who can step in immediately when there are signs of serious concern or risk.
If necessary, we refer to the existing care network, always based on the needs of the young person themselves.
@ease removes barriers and reduces the chance of avoiding care: it is prevention in its purest form.
What can you do as a GP or healthcare professional?
- Refer young people who would benefit from normalization, support or mental resilience
- Refer young people who are not yet ready for treatment
- Refer young people who are on a waiting list and already need a conversation
- Use @ease as the first step in your stepped-care approach
Would you like to bring @ease to the attention of young people and/or colleagues?
We’d like to send you a free waiting room package, especially for general practitioners, practice nurses, youth professionals, and other healthcare providers who want to offer young people a safe first step.
What’s in the package?
- Flyers for young people and parents
- Narrowcasting screen for the waiting room
- Handy laminated checklist: When to refer a young person? (Spotting signs of stress)
- You’ll get a cosy pair of @ease socks, our way of saying thanks for helping young people feel more grounded. 💚
Do you work at a larger practice or institution? We’d be happy to design a custom dual flyer: one side with your organization’s information, the other with @ease. Get in touch via the contact form, and we’ll think it through together.
@ease is a non-profit organization offering free help to young people between 12 and 25. You can come by anytime, without an appointment, and talk with trained volunteers in a safe space, at one of our locations or through our online chat. At @ease, we focus on early recognition and open conversations about mental health, so that small struggles don’t turn into bigger challenges.
A vital part of our approach is the use of peer volunteers, many with lived experience. This helps young people feel safe, understood, and truly heard.
Youth care often works with indications and referrals. At @ease, you can find a listening ear and mental support without any barriers.
Yes. We’re there before symptoms worsen. Talking to someone early helps you stay on top of your mental resilience.
At @ease young people are welcome with all problems, big or small:
• Stress and performance pressure
• Loneliness
• Depressive feelings and uncertainty
• Drug and substance use
• Arguments and relationships
• Sexuality and gender identity
• Suicidal thoughts and plans
• Unsafe home situation
Tired a lot, feeling down, stressed, or not sleeping well? If you notice this in a young person you’re seeing, feel free to point them to one of our @ease walk-in spaces.
@ease is not a healthcare institution, but a place where mental resilience begins
