mention vs refer

mention is a noun but refer is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
mention	Yes	No	Yes	No
refer	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, mention and refer are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of mention include advert, bring up, cite, name.

mention (noun)	refer (noun)
an official recognition of merit
a remark that calls attention to something or someone
a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage

mention (verb)	refer (verb)
make mention of	think of, regard, or classify under a subsuming principle or with a general group or in relation to another
commend	have as a meaning
make reference to	make reference to
	use a name to designate
	seek information from
	send or direct for treatment, information, or a decision
	be relevant to