Subject: RE: [FFML] [fanfic][Ranma][dark] Angel
From: Natsume Atsuko
Date: 9/29/1998, 7:37 PM
To: ffml@fanfic.com

On Tue, 29 Sep 1998, Nick Leifker wrote:

On Wed, 30 Sep 1998, David Eddy wrote:

I have one minor nit:  Ranma's commitment to an institution simply for
attempting suicide seems something of a deus ex machina... in other 
words, I feel that not sufficient rationale has been given for the
procedure.  (IIRC, people with suicidal depression are not committed
as a matter of course, but instead given happy pills and counselling.
At least, I think that's they way it is in Australia, anyway.  Dunno
about Japan or USA.)

As I understand it, people are put into institutions when they are 

a) A threat to other people.
b) A threat to themselves.
c) Requiring 24-hour surveillance for a psychiatric procedure (like
monitoring the effects of medication).

Nick is correct, for the US.  However, this applies to attempted suicide,
not simply depression.  So, you're both right.