‘It must be because …’: Non-biological care and mental health Part III. Who refers – and why?

This article, the final in a series of three, looks at how and why children are referred for psychiatric help, and then presents an analysis of referrals which occurred during the period, 1.7.1991–30.6.1993, at Alfred Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service in Melbourne.

Analysis of the referral sources for two groups of children (those who had experienced non-biological care and those who had not) showed very different patterns, the implications of which are discussed. In contrast, analysis of the presenting problems showed that the difference between the two groups of children was not as marked as had been expected. Possible explanations for this, involving systemic issues, are explored.