Cutting friends off

Hello, so ive been suffering from depression for almost a year now since a breakup with my ex-boyfriend for 5 years. I was also suicidal a few times.

My question is regarding mutual friends with my ex. We were all really close but i stopped talking to them after the break up beacause it reminded me too much of him and it hurt. They gave me the space i needed. But now one year later, i am still unable to face them.

I thought i was fine, until an old friend reached out to me and all the memories came flooding back and it felt as if a volcano erupted. I am still in uni so i dont want to get distracted. Ive received 2 forms of advice so far;

1. Be honest and transparent with them and tell them what i feel even if it means cutting them off entirely (for now or a long time- it depends)

2. Just let it flow naturally and just let it drop. (Avoids any immediate hard feelings but long term consequences of them feeling ghosted)

I tried method 2 for a couple of months until (as i mentioned) my old friends are trying to reach out to me. And ive been told its not right for me to do so. I know they mean well and want to help but i cant help bursting out crying every time they try to contact me. In my head... i want to tell them to leave me alone. I still need time. Yet it upsets me that they keep telling me its been a year already and i should be over it.

I know cutting people out is not ideal but i feel that i have to do what is right for me. I just dont know how to do it. Do i go with advice 1 or 2? Im really confused..