I was treated for acute depression for several years and managed never to talk about it to anyone apart from my GP, psychologist and psychiatrist. I felt irrationally that it was shameful to be ill in that way. I didn't talk to family or friends about it and still can't. This hindered treatment by drugs and therapy and I still have the problem of wanting to be dead for quite a lot of the time.

I think you've done the right thing to declare your problem it may help any treatment to work. Your friends sound as if they can and will help.