I will not give medical advice without a license, but from experience with people diagnosed with depression, most DO need the medication.
Going on and off medication is a common problem, with them. They take themselves off, when they feel okay, until things go back to bad.
In my family we have experience with my youngest sister, never a drug or alcohol user. But serious depression, and the meds are a must.
Yet in the beginning over 30 years ago, most family members were skeptical about the condition, and the meds.
Not skeptical any more. Learned the long, hard way that lesson.