Minors' right to psychiatric treatment.

This article provides a selected overview of the rights of minors under the Mental Health Act (Ministry of Health) and the Child and Family Services Act (Ministry of Community and Social Services) in the province of Ontario. Although the paper addresses specific issues related to mental health regulations as they apply to children and adolescents in Ontario, similar arguments apply to the regulations in most provinces. Specifically the paper raises some legal and ethical questions regarding minors' right to treatment. It is suggested that the legislation may impede access to treatment in some instances.