Hi Ashley and welcome. I know exactly what you mean about not knowing when and with whom to share your mental issues with. I'm an alcoholic and that's not something I readily wish everyone I meet to know. However, it's hard to hide it in some cases because it's SUCH a huge part of my life. My sobriety comes first above EVERYTHING else including loved ones, my job, coworkers etc. So if I'm hiding that part of my life, it's tough. I tend to just trust my gut on when I'm gonna tell someone. My coworker didn't know for about a month when he started working with me because I just didn't know how he'd react. But as I got to know him, it finally came out. My other coworker, I think I told her the day she started. I just knew when it was right to tell both of them. So for me, I guess it comes down to, will it make my life easier if they know this or not? If I think it will complicate matters, there's no need for them to know. As far as new friends go...I can't relate much because all my friends anymore are also recovering alcoholics. I don't meet many people who aren't anymore because I don't go too many places that don't involve recovery. Hope some of that helps. =)

~Rayna