Psychiatrymiddle twist
A 15-year-old girl attends the adolescent mental health clinic alone. She has moderate depression and, after discussion, wants to start an antidepressant. She does not want her parents told. Asked to explain the plan back, she describes what the medicine is for, that it takes several weeks to work, that she may feel more restless and agitated in the first fortnight, what she would do and whom she would telephone if that happened, and that she can stop it after discussion with the clinic. She lives at home and attends school. Which one of the following determines whether she may consent to this treatment herself?