Why are ssri meds used so often when studies show them to be no more effective than placebos?

SSRIs placebo?: Not sure where the Placebo information came from, but my experience has been that they are very effective when used for diagnosed cases and closely monitored.

Suicide Is Serious: And should be prevented. Sometimes one must use the tools available. There are many other drug classes effective for depression, and if SSRIs don't work for one patient that does not preclude efficacy of another class of antidepressant. There are standards of care with respect to prescribing such medications, and if one hasn't worked after a specified period of time & dose, another will be tried.