This research shows how peer support can support young people with mental health issues and how collaboration with general practitioners and primary care can be improved.
News
International recognition: OECD names @ease as best practice for mental health in young people
The OECD has recognized @ease as a best practice for mental resilience in young people, selected from 65 countries.
@ease’s outreach program reaches young people who would otherwise remain out of sight
The @ease outreach programme reaches young people who are often left out of regular care, like boys and young people with a migration background. That’s what peer-reviewed research from Maastricht University shows, carried out together with @ease and care partners in Amsterdam, Heerlen and Maastricht.
Young people feel better after visiting @ease: free drop-in for mental support works
A five-year study by Maastricht University (UM) shows that young people aged 12 to 25 who visit @ease experience less stress, feel better in daily life, and skip school less often.
Three studies on the impact of @ease on young people
To better understand how we can support young people, three scientific studies have been running since 2018 to examine the @ease approach. This protocol outlines the three studies, their goals, design, and how young people are involved.
Who are the visitors of @ease?
Who are the young people who visit @ease, and what brings them here? Thanks to this study, we now have a better understanding of their backgrounds, the challenges they face, and why @ease is often their very first step towards getting help.
Urgent need for innovative mental health care
Research shows that young people around the world are at high risk of mental health problems, but often can’t access the right support. The researchers call for a radical rethinking of youth mental health care.
What helps young people seek help and what holds them back?
In this 2021 qualitative study, young people shared their experiences seeking help for mental health issues. What helped them? And what obstacles did they encounter?
How do we improve mental health care for young people?
Why don’t young people get the support they need? That’s what Sophie Leijdesdorff studied. Her PhD shows why easy-access, informal initiatives like @ease are not just needed, they actually work. She calls for a youth-friendly approach that goes beyond age limits and diagnoses.
Impact study: social costs of lack of assistance
This 2020 impact study shows that young people who turn to @ease have a significantly lower quality of life than their peers. Their mental health issues also result in significant social costs, particularly due to truancy.