Starting Antidepressants: What to Know and How to Stay Safe

Antidepressants, including SSRIs, help millions of people in the UK to recover from depression and anxiety. For most people they are safe and effective, and taking them is a positive, proactive step. This page is not about fear — it is about being informed, supported and safe while your medication starts to work.

Do antidepressants help?

Yes — for most people, they genuinely do. Alongside talking therapies and support from those around you, antidepressants can lift the weight of depression enough for recovery to begin. If your GP or prescriber has recommended them, that advice is worth trusting, and any questions you have deserve honest, unhurried answers.



Never stop or change your medication suddenly without speaking to your prescriber first. If something doesn't feel right, tell them — adjusting the dose or the medication is a normal part of finding what works for you.

Can antidepressants cause suicidal thoughts?

For a small minority of people, suicidal thoughts can occur or intensify — most often in the first days and weeks of starting an antidepressant, or when a dose is changed. This is uncommon, but it is real, and it is why the safety information that comes with your medication matters.

We share this from painful experience. Jordan, whose life inspired The Jordan Legacy, died by suicide in December 2019 shortly after starting Fluoxetine. We say this not to discourage anyone from taking medication that could help them, but because we believe every patient and family deserves to know what to look out for — and to feel confident asking for help early.

If you notice your mood getting worse, new or stronger thoughts of suicide, or unusual agitation after starting or adjusting medication, contact your prescriber straight away, tell someone you trust, and use the crisis contacts at the bottom of this page. These effects are recognised, they are taken seriously, and support is available.

What is the Prescription Safe Plan?

To help people stay safe during those early weeks, we champion the Prescription Safe Plan, developed by Debi Roberts and aligned with NICE and MHRA guidance. It is a simple, practical plan you put in place when starting or changing medication, covering:

• Knowing the safety information for your specific medication
• Agreeing check-ins with your prescriber during the first weeks
• Telling a trusted person you are starting medication, so they can gently keep an eye on how you're doing
• Knowing exactly who to contact, day or night, if things feel worse

Ask your GP or pharmacist to go through the safety information with you, and share your plan with the people around you.

Questions to ask your prescriber

• What effects should I expect in the first two weeks?
• What warning signs should I or my family look out for?
• When will we review how the medication is working?
• Who do I contact if I feel worse before my next appointment?
  

You deserve to feel better — safely

Medication helps most people who take it, and being informed makes it safer still. If you are supporting someone starting antidepressants, our I'm Worried About Someone page can help. For any questions, contact us at hello@thejordanlegacy.com — and if you are struggling today, please visit I Need Help Now