DIFFERENCES IN SELF-REFERRALS 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 k now where to go for help, say that ''no one cares,'' fear disclosure, and to fear the outcome than the supervisor-referrals. Supervisor-refe rral may permit earlier intervention into client problems, but the nat ure of the social contingencies contributing to referral requires more research.