Having been through pretty much exactly what you are talking about, and also seeking various forms of help I can say that I am longtime on the other side of that period and am glad I got the balls to get help despite the stigma because it's like the difference between night and day.
I would certainly seek medical advice before making any decisions about ssri or any other treatment re medicals, but they are a treatment for anxiety as well.
The thing that CASA will be after is if you are stabilized or not, and this could take some time depending on your current state of mind.
Medical Advice is what your after as every situation is different. None of us here is qualified to comment but There are plenty of ways that may be deemed lefty or hippy which have certainly helped me including meditation/relaxation and looking after myself, but getting off the pi$$ and doing some regular exercise and eating well were a good place to start.
I reckon in life it's pretty common for it to be really hard at times, and it just comes down to whether or not we make it worse or better for ourselves by the way we deal or not deal with it. "Pain is unavoidable, suffering is optional"
Good luck.