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- in the US, the right of an adolescent (<18yrs) to seek and receive treatment without parental consent varies from state to state.
- usually, the right to self-consent for treatment is specified through public health statutes when there is clinical suspicion of a STD
- many states allow minors to seek help for pregnancy, contraception, substance abuse, and mental health issues without parental consent
some absolutes or almost always cases include the following:
- emancipated minors: moved outside of the home and support themselves financially, married, in the military, or has a child
- emergencies: patient is unconscious or unable to give consent
- mature-minor: possess the ability to comprehend the risks and benefits of treatment/therapy
References
MedStudy Pediatrics Board Review Core Curriculum, 1st ed.