Differences in self- and supervisor-referrals to a military mental health clinic

Supervisor- and self-referrals for outpatient mental health care were studied to determine demographic and clinical differences. Supervisor-referrals (n = 730) were younger, reported fewer problems, and received less severe diagnoses than the self-referrals. Self-referrals (n = 1,103) received more depressive and anxiety diagnoses and more medications. They were also more afraid to ask for help, were more likely to not know where to go for help, say that "no one cares," fear disclosure, and to fear the outcome than the supervisor-referrals. Supervisor-referral may permit earlier intervention into client problems, but the nature of the social contingencies contributing to referral requires more research.