But disdain for censorship in order to support your point aside, side effects aren't the only thing that can "go wrong" with meds. I lost a year and a half of my life (and counting) because antidepressants wrecked my brain (and losing your sense of self and direction when you are 22 and right out of college is devastating, let me tell you).

It's a reality that medication make some people worse and prevent them from recovering. If you truly care about the possibility of everyone leading their best life, you'd understand that. Also what side effects someone is willing to tolerate and to what extent is completely subjective. Everyone should have the chance to make their own trade offs.

Coercing someone by telling them "it isn't that bad" isn't consent, and it isn't going to lead to the therapeutic relationship that extends itself to healing. Sorry, not sorry. If you really want to help someone, you need to validate their fears and choices.