Thank you for asking this question. Suicide is a serious problem and is shrouded in stigma and misinformation, so it’s good to talk about it openly to dispel false information.
Suicide has increased in the US by 30% in the past 20 years. Link
What’s more frightening is that the rate of suicide attempts is much greater than successful completions. In 2015, 575,000 people went to the hospital for injuries that were self-inflicted that did not lead to death. Link
Antidepressants are only known to lead to suicidal thoughts in patients with bipolar disorder who need to be treated with mood stabilizers instead. Antidepressants do not lead to suicidal thoughts among patients with a type of depression.
It is important to point out that these medications do not alter one’s personality. They fight disease. They do not fight personality. When the disease is correctly treated, the personality can then heal and shine.
It’s possible that “every other person identifies as depressed” because they actually are depressed. Or it’s possible that that statement is an exaggeration. I work in mental health, and I do not hear every other person claiming to be depressed. Also, a doctor must do some important fact finding before prescribing medication.
If you are in a lot of emotional pain and very sad and having scary thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800–273-8255 or text START to 741741.