How @ease works: 5 frequently asked questions from GPs and mental health nurses

Sometimes young people with mental health complaints first turn to their general practitioner. Not every situation requires immediate specialist care, but young people often do need a listening ear, support, or someone who can think things through with them.

Uit onderzoek van Universiteit Maastricht naar de samenwerking tussen huisartsenpraktijken en @ease blijkt dat veel huisartsen en POH-GGZ peer support een waardevolle aanvulling vinden op de ondersteuning van jongeren. Tegelijkertijd blijkt dat nog niet alle huisartsenpraktijken goed bekend zijn met wat @ease precies doet en wanneer het helpend kan zijn om jongeren hierop te wijzen.

That is why, in this blog, we answer the 5 questions that GPs ask most often about @ease.

1. Who is @ease for?

@ease is there for young people aged 12 to 25 for whom life isn’t going so well at the moment. Think of young people with stress, sadness, insecurity, or other mental health concerns who need to talk.

Referring to @ease can be a valuable addition to the support provided by the GP practice, for example when:

• A young person needs an accessible conversation or a listening ear
• There are mild mental symptoms, such as stress, sadness, or insecurity
• A young person on a waiting list is for further treatment.
• A young person who is still hesitant about seeking help or is not (yet) ready for treatment
• A young person experiences little support in their own network

2. What is @ease?

@ease is an accessible place where young people can talk about what is on their minds for free, anonymously, and without an appointment.

Young people speak with trained young volunteers – often with their own experiential knowledge – which means conversations often quickly feel familiar and open.

We hebben locaties door heel Nederland.

3. Is a referral needed?

No. Young people can walk into an @ease location or chat online without a referral or appointment.

The service is free and without a waiting list, allowing young people to get an appointment for a consultation quickly.

4. Are volunteers trained?

Yes. All volunteers receive extensive training in, among other things, active listening, solution-focused work, and recognizing signs of mental health problems.

When additional help seems necessary, they can assist young people in consultation with the professional present in finding appropriate support.

5. Is working with young volunteers safe?

Yes. Volunteers always conduct conversations in pairs and are supervised by professionals from local care and welfare organizations.

A professional is present at every location, and in addition, a psychiatrist is available for consultation when necessary.

This ensures that support remains easily accessible, but professional support is always available whenever a situation calls for it.

Wil je meer weten over hoe @ease kan aansluiten bij de huisartsenzorg? Op onze speciale pagina voor zorgprofessionals lees je hoe peer support werkt, wanneer het helpend kan zijn en hoe je jongeren eenvoudig kunt doorverwijzen naar @ease.