I totally understand your wariness & skepticism. In generally, I think our culture is really overmedicated and that sometimes drugs are prescribed when lifestyle changes or other things could do the job.
HOWEVER, and to echo what other people have said, if you're at a point in your mental health that you are too depressed to try to do anything about it, an anti-depressant can lift you out of the funk long enough to make the necessary changes or re-evaluate what you need to re-evaluate. If you're so depressed that you can't do anything but be depressed, taking a pill for a bit can be really, really helpful. When I first started taking an SSRI, I was like: "holy shit. you mean I DON'T have to feel like garbage all the time? you mean I actually CAN get out of bed?!?! Amazing!" Being on medication made me feel MORE like myself. I was still me, just me without constant self-hatred.
Also, I highly highly highly recommend that you see a therapist while on medication. There are some amazing ones in Seattle, including plenty that are on a sliding scale if you're concerned about money.
Good luck! I hope you start feeling better soon.