From what I recall, hospitals aren't required to detain suicide attempters. Whether he was attempting suicide or mistakenly took a pill overdose, the hospital is required to stabilize him before release. If he's stable, he's released. The patient may be referred to some mental health professionals for outpatient care and have to answer some questions to the police (if that jurisdiction has investigative protocol for suicide attempts).

We're just responding to a news report just like we do for other topics. What we're typing applies to T.O. or anyone else who may or may not have attempted or committed suicide so it isn't like we're going on uninformative tangents.

I have never taken an accidental or intentional overdose. When it says 2 every 6, I take 2 every 6. And that's for over the counter medication as well as doctor prescribed medications (that tend to be more potent).

Well, it's a little more than conjecture based on his history and past behavior. From SI:

Owens' publicist, Kim Etheredge, said she was at Owens' home when he took pain medicine for his broken right hand. Concerned by how he began acting, Etheredge said in various interviews Wednesday with Dallas-area media that she called 911. Owens was taken to a hospital, with Etheredge saying it was an allergic reaction to the medicine.

But early Wednesday, several media outlets received a police report -- that had yet to be released by the authorities -- saying Owens had attempted suicide by overdosing on the painkillers, even putting two more pills into his mouth after an unidentified friend intervened.

The police document, first reported by WFAA-TV, said Owens was asked by rescue workers "if he was attempting to harm himself, at which time (he) stated, 'Yes."'

When officially released by police, about half the document was blacked out, including the phrases "attempting suicide by prescription pain medication" and "a drug overdose," as well as the details of Owens having two pills pried from his mouth and Owens saying "Yes" when asked if he intended to harm himself.

Etheredge, who said she was the friend cited in the police document, told Dallas-area media Wednesday that the police got the story wrong.

Full story.

Of course, that same story reports TO's statement that he did not try to kill himself. Time will tell which version is true.

I find the situation unfortunate and I suspect that if he was depressed it was the result of medication and not any deep personal issues.

That said...I am not buying into the whole "poor TO" thing because at some point, you have to grow up, be a man, and deal with your issues instead of creating them. I think he creates drama and I guess I have no sympathy for that.

Plus, since I live in Texas, I have whiplash from the constant talk of TO and will he play and is he really injured.

What does this involve?

Any support you'd like to provide for this suspicion?

Yep, seriously - Tuna should be all over his ass . . . "TO, Grow up, be a man, and stop having a potential psychological condition, you pansy ass!"

I get that he creates drama - no matter which side of the story you believe (and they're shockingly close, mostly different only in tone or intent), I can't imagine thinking this was a 'drama bomb.'

That's fair, but don't let that get the best of you, sport - be a man, and face up to your frustration with talk radio.

the only treatment for depression is lithium

Depression isn't about "being a man." It's a serious illness, and this talk of "being a man" is insulting to those who have dealt with it.

Your suggestion on the cause of the depression is interesting - how long have you been treating T.O.? Where did you get your M.D. or PhD?

I am not, in any way shape of form, trying to say that depression is not a serious issue. I think Terrell Owens seems to find himself in many situations where he is the center of controversy, and I think he enjoys it. I do not feel bad that he has to deal with these kinds of allegations in the media spotlight because throughout his time in the NFL, he has continually invited the media to make him the spotlight.

Apparently, I wasn't too far off in my assessment that this was not because of depression. He did not attempt suidcide and it seems to be from a mix of too much medication and supplements.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15021827/

As far as I'm concerned, much of this thread isn't even about T.O. Times like this bring out misconceptions and it's good that some of the misconceptions of suicide were addressed.

Having seen the press conference, I found TO's explanation credible, his medicine had a bad reaction with other supplements he was taking. ESPN reported that he'd had allergic reactions, albeit not this severe, in the past.

and let me just say, TO's publicist, Kim Ethridge? :p :p ...yes maam, she could look out for my well being all day. :p

Just to play devil's advocate, sure he said in his press conference that he isn't depressed and didn't attempt suicide, it was just a bad mix of meds. Would anyone really expect him (or anyone else in his shoes) to 'fess up to depression and attempted suicide in front of all those cameras? Would his publicist let him?

I don't know whether TO is dealing with depression or not. I don't know if he tried to commit suicide or not. But I do know that regardless, I would have been astounded if he had said anything other than "it was all a big mistake" at the press conference.