once when i was inpatient i made a very good friend and we hung out the entire time we were in but after some things about him became clear and i had to cut off the friendship.
Many years later an RN on the unit sat down with me and explained that ppl on the unit sometimes have criminal records or are awaiting trial for many unsavory issues. She said you have to keep in mind we can have rapists, child molesters all kinds of ppl up here and you don't know because no one can tell you to steer clear. I thought about that and the friendship i struck up with the guy so many years before and realized i might have just lucked out as he was put in jail after he got out of the unit for abusing his wife and kids.
So yeah i will strike up about 3 friends just enough to play friendly games of euchre when we were not in groups or eating dinner.
Just use good judgement and don't give out your address or phone number.
BE SMART!!! Tams