Background and purpose: The present research is an analytic – descriptive study. We have done this study in order to identify the pathways to the psychiatric office in two different cities. We also have evaluated demographic findings, referral sources and the rate of visit by practitioners and traditional healers in all of the subjects.

Methods and Materials: The subjects were selected through random sampling. We have studied 1000 patients in Tehran and 2000 patients in Sirjan.

Results: The most of the all subjects were referred to the psychiatric office by their family and relatives. 2.8% of the patients in Tehran and 16.8% of the patients in Sirjan have gone to traditional healers before visiting by psychiatrist. During second year of study in Sirjan, the rates of referral cases have increased by specialists, relatives of the patients and medical and non-medical centers.

Conclusion: Increasing of knowledge of mental health to people in society and in medical centers by psychiatrists has special and important role in proper management of psychiatric patients.