These letters to the editor respond to an earlier article by D Gunnell & D Ashby, in which they assessed data on the risks & benefits of antidepressants, particularly in the treatment of suicidal patients. The present authors reinterpret their data with regards to 1) rising rates of antidepressant prescriptions, & 2) differences between risks for suicidal behavior & risks for self harm. Gunnell & Ashby respond.