The objective was to describe the mental health characteristics of children referred to various health services settings in the GazSs were a sample of 150 children aged 6-13 years, who had been referred to a Community Mental Health Centre, five primary health centres 50 for each = and a paediatric hospital (n group). Parents completed the Rutter A Scales on behavioral and emotional problems and clinicians made an International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 psychiatric diagnosis. The results showed that there was a high rate of somatising disorders among children referred to the Mental Health Centre (42%). Parent-reported rates of significant mental health problems were high for all groups, i.e., 70% in the Mental Health Centre group, 30% in the paediatric group and 18% among children referred to Primary Health Centres. It was concluded that children primarily referred for physical health problems may have underlying psychiatric disorders. Liaison with Child Psychiatry Services and ongoing training in child mental health issues are important for Primary Health Care and hospital staff.