Your p-doc said something unusual about Lithium when she said it is NOT prescribed to suicidal folks. Lithium in fact has an excellent record against suicidality and communities where municipal waters have, naturally, a higher level of Li suffer from fewer suicides. I have been on Lithium since 2009, I asked for it myself having read the famous book by Kay Jamison, and I am happy with it, despite manageable acne and manageable hypothyroidism.

Having heard such an odd opinion from her, I would look for care elsewhere, but definitely not drop out of care altogether. Good luck!