@ease has won the Research & Innovation Trophy 2021!
During a conference by the NFU on ‘Research & Innovation for a Healthier Region’, a delegation from @ease proudly accepted the very first R&I Trophy on Friday 29 October 2021.
This award recognises unique partnerships aimed at reducing health inequalities in the region. We’re proud and grateful for this recognition!
In the photo: The trophy was proudly accepted by @ease volunteers Rick Koll (@ease Maastricht & Heerlen) and Maartje de Vries (@ease Groningen), youth psychiatrist Arne Popma (Amsterdam UMC, @ease advisory board member), and Arianne Westhuis (national manager @ease).
Volunteer Rick Koll:
“Just listening to young people who are struggling. It sounds simple, but it isn’t always. In our conversations, everything comes up — from exam stress to unsafe home situations. We take our time, think along if someone wants that, and most of all: we make sure they feel truly heard. We see that this helps young people feel safe enough to talk about their worries — sometimes for the very first time.”
Research & Innovation
Two years ago, the Dutch Federation of University Medical Centres (NFU) worked with many partners to create the report Research & Innovation with and for a Healthy Region. It shows how research and innovation are increasingly being used at the regional level — not just by university hospitals, but together with local partners. @ease is one of those examples: a place where organisations have come together to tackle a social issue in a successful and collaborative way.
Preventive support for young people with psychosocial complaints
At @ease, young people can reach out easily and anonymously for a listening ear or any questions they may have. At our walk-in locations and in the online chat, they can talk to trained peers. Our young volunteers are supported by mental health professionals, researchers and psychiatrists. Through ongoing scientific research, @ease continues to check whether our approach still meets the needs of young people.
The @ease foundation is made possible thanks to the dedication of volunteers and professionals, local and national care and knowledge organisations, municipalities and the Ministry of Health (VWS).
Sustainable and future-proof collaboration
At the R&I conference, André Rouvoet (Chair of GGD GHOR Netherlands) stressed the importance of working together on prevention. He spoke about the need for real, long-term collaboration and future-proof initiatives. Ronnie van Diemen (Director-General of Curative Care at the Ministry of Health) supported the call for a national programme, one with clear goals to reduce health inequalities and increase healthy life years, and to translate those goals into concrete regional actions.
@ease is a national foundation, working locally with care and social organisations and municipalities. Cross-domain, for and by young people, and focused on prevention.
We’re fully aligned with the call from André Rouvoet and Ronnie van Diemen, and we respond to it, together with our partners. If you’re curious, come and see how we do this — together with young people.