(a) Any minor may be admitted to a mental health facility for inpatient treatment upon application to the facility director, if the facility director finds that the minor has a mental illness or emotional disturbance of such severity that hospitalization is necessary and that the minor is likely to benefit from inpatient treatment. Except in cases of admission under Section 3-504, prior to admission, a psychiatrist, clinical social worker, clinical professional counselor, or clinical psychologist who has personally examined the minor shall state in writing that the minor meets the standard for admission. The statement shall set forth in detail the reasons for that conclusion and shall indicate what alternatives to hospitalization have been explored.
     (b) The application may be executed by a parent or guardian or, in the absence of a parent or guardian, by a person in loco parentis. Application may be made for a minor who is a youth in care as defined in Section 4d of the Children and Family Services Act by the Department of Children and Family Services or by the Department of Corrections.