How it works
Feeling a bit nervous about just walking in? We get it.
On this page, you can read step-by-step what to expect. From the moment you walk into @ease until the moment you head back home. That way, you know exactly what to expect.
When can you come to @ease?
You’re welcome if:
✔ you feel down, anxious, or insecure
✔ you worry a lot or experience stress
✔ things aren’t going well at home, at school, or during your studies
✔ something is bothering you and you want to share your story
✔ you don’t quite know what’s going on yet
✔ you just need someone to listen to you
At @ease, you can find the support you need to stand strong again.
Yes, you’re welcome then too. At @ease, we listen to your story without judgment.
Yes. You don’t have to know what you want to say or what you need beforehand. Especially when you don’t have everything figured out (yet), it can help to talk about it with someone.
Just walk right in
@ease is er voor jongeren in heel Nederland. Je kunt zonder afspraak binnenlopen bij een @ease-locatie in jouw buurt of anoniem met ons chatten.
Choose the way that suits you best.
No. You can just walk into @ease whenever it suits you. Prefer to chat? That’s also possible.
Yes. If you feel more comfortable coming with a friend, parent, or someone else you trust, you are both welcome.
No, you don’t need to arrange anything at @ease. We don’t provide a diagnosis, we don’t create a file, and you don’t need a referral.
@ease heeft locaties verspreid door heel Nederland. Op de locatiepagina vind je alle locaties, openingstijden en contactgegevens. Geen locatie bij jou in de buurt of praat je liever online? Dan kun je ook anoniem met ons chatten.
@ease is free.
Prefer to chat?
Can’t come by or does chatting feel more comfortable? That’s also possible. You chat anonymously with a peer.
Via the chat, we also listen without judgment and take the time for your story.
Yes. You always chat with a peer between 18 and 30 years old. There is no chatbot or AI behind our chat.
On the chat, you talk to one peer-listener. A healthcare professional is always available in the background to provide support if needed.
Yes. You always chat anonymously with us. You don’t have to use your real name and your IP address is not visible to us. Everything you tell us is treated confidentially.
We only share information in very exceptional situations. For example, if you give permission yourself because you need immediate help, or if we get clear signals that you are an acute danger to others. In the latter case, we are legally obliged to call in help.
You will be welcomed
All our locations are set up like a peaceful living room. You’ll get something to drink, and then we’ll walk together to a quiet, separate space. There you can tell your story in complete privacy.
No. You don’t have to tell your name if you don’t want to. We don’t create a file and we don’t provide a diagnosis. You can just come by to share your story.
You’ll talk to a peer listener: someone aged 18 to 30 who is trained to listen.
They know what it’s like to be young in a world where a lot is expected of you. Sometimes they have experienced for themselves how nice it is when someone really listens to you.
Curious about who you’ll meet? Get to know the peer-listeners at your location. That way, you’ll know who is behind @ease and which faces to expect.
Every @ease location feels like a living room: a nice, quiet place with comfortable chairs and space to talk at your ease. No desks or filing cabinets.
On the page of your @ease location, you can already take a look at what your @ease looks like inside. So you know what to expect.
@ease is basically for young people aged 12 to 25. But because we work anonymously, we don’t check your age. Are you a bit older and is something bothering you? Then you’re still welcome.
Of course. You decide what you do. If you’d rather not have a conversation after all, that’s completely okay.
In that case, you can have a cup of tea and just get to know us first.
The conversation
A conversation usually lasts about an hour.
You don’t need to prepare anything and you don’t need to know exactly what you want to tell us beforehand. Our peer-listeners will help you get started and listen without judgment.
You decide what you talk about. Big or small, everything is open for discussion.
You talk to two peer-listeners. That might take some getting used to, but many young people actually find it pleasant. Because you’re not sitting directly opposite someone, but together in a triangle, a relaxed atmosphere often arises in which you can tell your story at your own pace.
A healthcare professional is always present in the background. They provide support if needed.
You don’t have to. You don’t need to prepare anything. Our peer-listeners will help you get started and listen without judgment.
Yes. You don’t have to think first about whether your story is ‘bad enough’. At @ease, you are welcome with everything that’s on your mind. Sometimes one conversation is already a relief.
No. You decide what you talk about. You don’t have to tell anything you’d rather keep to yourself.
Are you visiting an @ease location? Then you talk to two peer-listeners. That might sound like it takes some getting used to. Yet many young people actually find it pleasant. Because you sit together in a triangle, a relaxed atmosphere often arises in which you can tell your story at your own pace.
Are you talking via the chat? Then you talk to one peer-listener.
Yes. Even if you’re already receiving help, you’re welcome. Sometimes it’s just nice to talk to someone in the meantime.
Yes. Even if you’re on a waiting list, you’re welcome. It’s actually nice to talk to someone already.
That’s completely okay. You don’t have to be strong. Everything you feel is allowed to be there.
Afterwards
Afterwards, we look back on the conversation together. Sometimes one conversation is already a relief.
Would you like to come by again? You’re allowed to.
If it turns out during the conversation that you need more support, we will think along with you about a suitable next step. You always decide for yourself what you do with that.
No. The conversation is confidential. We don’t tell your parents or caregivers that you’ve been here.
Yes. You’re always welcome to come by again or chat with us again.
Afterwards, we ask how you experienced the conversation. We also ask if you’d like to fill out a short questionnaire for our scientific research. That is completely voluntary. After that, you just head back home. If you want to come by again, you are very welcome.
Good to know:
- Free
- No appointment needed
- Confidential
- No referral needed
- Even if you’re already receiving help, you’re welcome
Hopefully you now have a better idea of what to expect. You’re welcome, even if you’re still doubting or don’t know exactly what you want to tell us.
Ready to take the first step?
Is something on your mind? Sharing your story can help.