Which statement correctly describes 5585.25 for a GD minor?

• A. A minor with a mental disorder unable to use the elements essential to health, safety, and development, including food, clothing, and shelter, even when provided by others.
• B. A minor with a mental disorder who can meet basic needs if provided by others.
• C. A minor with a mental disorder who cannot be treated without parental consent.
• D. A minor with a mental disorder who is not at risk to health or safety.

Answer: (A)

Gravely disabled status for a minor means the child cannot provide for basic needs or use available resources due to a mental disorder, even when help is offered by others. This reflects an inability to maintain health, safety, and development because the condition prevents them from obtaining essentials like food, clothing, and shelter, despite support.

That understanding is why this option is correct: it describes a minor who cannot use or provide for those essential elements even when someone else can supply them. The other statements describe situations that would not count as gravely disabled—for example, being able to meet basic needs if someone else helps shows the capacity to utilize support; needing parental consent addresses treatment decisions rather than the inability to provide for basic needs; and not being at risk to health or safety would mean they are not gravely disabled.