Which statement describes 5585.25 minor in terms of life-safety elements?

• A. A minor with a mental disorder unable to use life elements essential to health, safety, and development, even when provided by others.
• B. A minor with a mental disorder who can meet life elements with family support.
• C. A minor with a mental disorder who requires only medical treatment.
• D. A minor with a mental disorder who is not at risk.

Answer: (A)

Life-safety elements focus on the basic needs that keep someone healthy, safe, and able to develop—things like food, shelter, protection, and proper care. When a minor has a mental disorder and cannot use or access those life elements even with the help of others, that person is described as gravely disabled. This status recognizes that the impairment prevents the child from meeting essential personal needs despite assistance from family or services.

In this scenario, the minor’s condition means they cannot utilize life-safety elements despite support, which fits the gravely disabled definition. The other statements imply the minor can meet those basic needs with support, or would only require medical treatment, or are not at risk, which do not describe gravely disabled status.