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.
@ease is internationaal erkend door OECD als een bewezen effectieve aanpak om jongeren met psychische klachten in een vroeg stadium te ondersteunen.
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.
Wetenschappelijk onderzoek leert dat deze gelijkwaardigheid zorgt voor:
- 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
Wetenschappelijk onderzoek leert dat onze aanpak zorgt voor:
- Lower threshold for talking
- Faster trust and openness
- More sense of recognition
- Faster relief from mental tension
De Organisatie voor Economische Samenwerking en Ontwikkeling (OECD) heeft @ease erkend als één van de 11 best practices voor mentale gezondheid bij jongeren in 65 landen. In het rapport Mental Health Promotion and Prevention: Best Practices in Public Health (2025) wordt @ease genoemd als voorbeeld van een vroege interventie die bewezen effectief, kostenefficiënt en breed toepasbaar is.
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.
Vraag ons gratis wachtkamerpakket aan met oa. flyers en een narrowcasting.
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 sturen je graag een gratis wachtkamerpakket toe – speciaal voor huisartsen, POH’s, jeugdprofessionals en andere zorgverleners die jongeren een veilige eerste stap willen bieden.
What’s in the package?
- Flyers for young people and parents 💚
- Narrowcasting voor in de wachtkamer
- 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 💚
- A link to a short video series specifically for family doctors
Werk je bij een grotere praktijk of instelling? Dan kunnen we ook een custom duo-flyer maken: aan de ene kant informatie over jouw organisatie, aan de andere kant over @ease. Neem daarvoor contact met ons op via het contactformulier. We denken graag met je mee.
Heb je nog vragen?
Wij hebben de vijf meest gestelde vragen van huisartsen in deze video’s gezet. Bekijk ze of neem contact met ons op.
@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.
Ja. We zijn er juist vóórdat klachten erger worden. Tijdig met iemand praten helpt om grip te houden op je mentale weerbaarheid.
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
• Ruzies en relaties
• Sexuality and gender identity
• Suicidal thoughts and plans
• Unsafe home situation
Denk aan vermoeidheid, somberheid, spanning of slecht slapen. Herken je dit bij een jongere in jouw spreekkamer? Verwijs ze gerust naar één van onze @ease-inloophuiskamers.