Would you recommend medication?

I've been dealing with depression close to 8 years now. I'm 22 years old, and doing my masters which is extremely stressful. I've had a hu sturdy of self harm, and I was clean for a year. (Except I relapsed today, although hopefully it'd be a one time thing).

A friend of mine took this antidepressant that she swears by. She said it made her life extremely different and her brain feels alive now. I'm tempted to use it, but I can't really afford a therapist right now. How risky is it to try it out?

And are there some natural non risky stuff I can try out, to deal with this?