Antidepressants don't work and mental health system is failing (2018)

I welcome change from the article posted just a few weeks ago stating they work without question:

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-43143889

A terrible meta-analysis most likely paid for by the industry. It's also ironic since the same news site, the BBC, commented on all the terrible side effects of anti-depressants just the previous year!

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-37682355

..and that combined with the fact that of all the studies that show anti-depressants aren't effective, only a fraction of them get published:

https://www.ted.com/talks/ben_goldacre_what_doctors_don_t_kn...

I don't think anti-depressants are a good option. I've tried several at two points in my life (under 13 and in my 20s) and during both times, I will say I hated them and the effect they had on me. There were some short term noticeable benefits, but I don't think they were good for me long term. I know people in my life who say drugs have helped them greatly, so I'm always weary of saying that.

I wish cognitive therapy without drugs was more commonly offered, but councilors are often worried about liability and always offer drugs in case of things like self-harm and suicide. Counseling helped me more than any drugs, and what really helped more than anything were significant drastic life changes:

https://khanism.org/perspective/a-tale-of-two-journeys/