As an artist struggling with severe mental health problems and hospitalisations, I wanted to find a way to combine my passion for people, the human psyche and art. Back in 2019, I joined @ease, a Dutch youth walk-in centre where young people can talk confidentially with peers about whatever is on their mind: free of charge and without referral. I began as a peer-supporter, listening to youth navigating challenges like loneliness, school stress, or mental health struggles. @ease has played a big role in my recovery, offering a space where I felt heard, supported, and inspired to keep moving forward. Out of my personal experience, I developed the CREATE&CONNECT workshops. These art-based sessions use art as a way to build connection, express feelings, and strengthen emotional self-regulation. Creativity, in my experience, can open doors where words sometimes fall short.

Being a peer-supporter has shown me how powerful it is when young people support each other. Just having someone listen without judgment can make all the difference. Bringing art into that space adds another layer helping participants access and process emotions in a non-verbal, creative way.