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Tower Hamlets Early Detection Service

THEDS is an NHS service for young people aged 16 to 25 living in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets who may have concerns about their mental health.

THEDS is a small team comprised of mental health nurses, psychologists and psychiatrists. We aim to support young people in getting their lives back on track.
Disturbances in thoughts, feelings and how you see the world can be confusing and distressing, but are not as uncommon as people may think and can be caused by a variety of reasons. They may be related to using drugs or alcohol, be symptoms of a physical illness, or be a result of adjusting to a new environment or stress.

Sometimes these changes could also be early symptoms of a mental health problem. These experiences could be:

  • feeling anxious, irritable or depressed
  • disturbed patterns of sleeping or eating confused or muddled thinking noticing that things and people seem strange and unreal
  • being preoccupied with particular ideas or thoughts
  • Unusual experiences such as seeing or hearing things
  • preferring to spend time alone, away from family and friends
  • struggling to cope at school, college or work.

THEDS was set up for people who are having or have had these experiences and is a place where people can find expert advice, support, and information on what might be the cause of these experiences.

Address

Tower Hamlets Early Detection Service (THEDS)
51 Three Colts Lane, Bethnal Green
London
E2 6BF
United Kingdom

Opening hours
9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding on Bank holidays)
Telephone number
0203 487 1320

Professionals wishing to make a referral can do so by downloading and either faxing or emailing the referral to us.

Non-professionals should make referrals over the phone.  

To download the referral form please click on the following link: Referral Form

If you are worried about your mental health please see your GP at your local surgery, or contact THEDS to discuss if we can offer you an appointment.

There is a lot of unfair stigma associated with mental health difficulties which can often discourage people from seeking help, we would encourage people to contact us or their GP as difficulties can worsen if they are not addressed. If you are worried about your mental health please see your GP at your local surgery, or contact THEDS to discuss if we can offer you an appointment.

We accept referrals and are able to offer assessment, advise and interventions to Tower Hamlets residents aged 16 -25.

Referrals are best made over the phone by contacting us to discuss, arrange an initial appointment, take down some basic information and confirm that we are the best place service to offer support.

Referrals can be made either by the young person, a family member or friend, through your GP (or health care professional), teacher/lecturer, or whomever might be involved in your life. If the referral is made for someone else we ask that the person being referred is aware and happy with the referral.

Nursing supports includes but is not limited to

  • Full assessment of the young person’s needs.
  • Crisis planning
  • Referral and signposting to external agencies
  • Psycho-educational work

Psychology input includes

  • Assessment and formulation of presenting complaints
  • Solution focused interventions including
  • CBT
  • Narrative therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Acceptance and commitment therapy
  • A number of specialist psychology groups

Medical input

  • Medical assessment of physical and mental health.
  • Advice around pharmacological interventions/therapy
  • Referral to appropriate services.

Social and Occupational support

  • Rework referral, a charity specialising in supporting people who have had difficulties with their mental health
  • Housing advice
  • Benefit advice, what people might be entitled to and how to claim
  • Liaison with other agencies i.e. Probation, court diversion, diabetic, youth offending, leaving care services