In this letter to the editor, Rudd comments on an article by Crawford et al (2007) in which it was concluded the results of a meta-analysis did not provide evidence that additional psychosocial interventions following self-harm have a marked effect on the likelihood of subsequent suicide. Rudd assets this conclusion is too bold because of the weaknesses in the analytical approach used by Crawford & colleagues. The reply of Crawford & co-authors follows. (8 refs)