You clicked. Nice move.
You’re here. Maybe you’ve got something on your mind. Or maybe you’re just curious about @ease.
Here’s how @ease works, step by step. Because it helps to know what’s going to happen.
How @ease works.
Who works at @ease?
At @ease, you talk to young people your age. We call them ‘peers’. They’re trained to really listen – without judgment. They’re not professional caregivers, but they do understand what it’s like when your head feels full. Sometimes because they’ve been through something themselves.
Talking to someone your own age often feels less heavy. The first time might feel a bit scary – but trust us: it gets easier every time.
What can I expect when I walk in?
When you walk into one of our lively, living room style locations, you’ll find comfy sofas, coffee or tea, and a calm vibe. You don’t need to give your name or show an ID – just say you’d like to talk. Then you’ll go to a separate space for about an hour’s conversation – always with two peers there to listen.
There’s always a professional on site, in the background, in case you need more support. But nothing happens without your knowledge. You’re always in control.
And the conversation itself is always with peers your age.
But what happens if I chat?
Just open the chat, pick any name you like (real or not), and start talking. You’ll be chatting with someone your age, trained to really listen. What you share stays between the two of you – never with your parents, your school, or your doctor. If we ever get concerned about your safety, we’ll explore options together, but only if you’re ready and if you agree.
Is it safe?
Yes. 100% confidential and your info stays private. Everyone at @ease is carefully trained, checked, and supported by professionals.
How do I start?
💚 Feel like dropping in? Find a @ease location nearby
💚 Wanna chat? Start a chat with a peer now
Does it cost anything?
No, it costs nothing. @ease is free and 100% confidential. You don’t need a referral, we don’t store anything, we don’t give diagnoses, and we never contact your parents or anyone. You can just walk in when you want, no strings attached.
What can we talk about at @ease?
Young people reach out to us with different questions and feelings. Maybe you’ll recognize yourself in one of these:
- You might be feeling sadness, stress, anxiety, panic, insecurity – or even suicidal thoughts.
- At home: maybe tension with your parents, concerns about your family, or worries about your home life.
- School or work: maybe pressure to perform, skipping classes, or feeling unsure about your studies or future direction.
- Relationships & yourself: feeling lonely, going through a heartbreak, struggling with yourself, or dealing with tricky friendships.
- Health & behaviour: maybe struggling with eating or sleeping, self-harm, or using alcohol or drugs.
- Finding help: long waits while being on a waiting list, not feeling heard, or just not knowing where to start.
You don’t need to know for sure. You don’t need a diagnosis. You’re always welcome. Just being you. .
Not sure yet? That’s okay.
Check out our Instagram, take your time, no rush and come see us whenever you feel ready. 👉 @ease_nederland
No matter what you’re dealing with, you don’t have to face it alone. At @ease, someone is always ready to listen to you.
Absolutely. Many young people who come to us are already getting help or waiting for it. @ease is here in between. You don’t have to choose. With us, you can just talk – without stopping anything or having to explain yourself. You can just drop by when you want, even when you’re already on a waiting list
Sometimes your head just needs room to breathe. Talking helps you sort out your thoughts, feel less alone, and sometimes see things more clearly. Talking brings relief, even if it doesn’t fix everything right away.
Good question. But what’s ‘real’, anyway? At @ease, you talk to someone your own age who truly listens – without judgment, without pressure and without rush. They’re not a professional, but they are well-trained and listen to you. And that makes a difference.
A study by Maastricht University shows that talking at really helps. Young people who have talked at @ease feel better, experience fewer struggles, and give the conversations an average score of 4.5 out of 5. For some, that’s just what they need to keep going. For others, it’s the first step towards getting more help.
@ease isn’t a care institution, it’s a place where mental resilience starts. The open and equal conversations make it easier for young people to share what’s on their minds. And that’s what makes the difference.
No, @ease is an independent foundation. We work closely with local mental health services, so we can connect young people to more support if that’s needed.
At @ease, you’ll talk to someone who truly listens. That can already make a big difference if you’re feeling alone. Here, you don’t need to hide anything or prove yourself. And if you’d like, we can look together at ways to build more connection, with yourself and with others.
It’s nice that you can just drop by. Sometimes you just need someone who listens.
