Friends / Question
Published: June 26, 2007
Dear TeenHealthFX,
When I was younger, like 1st-4th grade, I was bullied verbally by a ""friends"" on my bus. I always hated getting on the bus every morning and afternoon, but one of the people moved away, (the one that was making everyone bully me, the ""Queen"" bully, if you will) and I quickly became best friends with the boy and girl remaining. I’m not sure if it’s healthy to be friends with them now. I and my friend have talked about what happened, and she apologizes and regrets doing what she did to me (we were little kids) Is this healthy? -Friendship Confusion
Signed: Friendship Confusion About A Former Bully
Dear Friendship Confusion About A Former Bully,
TeenHealthFX thinks that it is most important for you to look at your relationship with this girl and how you feel about the way it is now – not how it was years ago. The fact is that even though a person once behaved in a way that was not okay, that person is capable of growing and changing and becoming a better person and a better friend to those around him/her. It sounds like this girl went through a phase where she was not being a good friend to her peers, but that she came to realize that what she was doing was not okay and made subsequent changes in her behavior. So as long as you feel that she is consistently a good and caring friend to you now, and currently treats you with kindness and respect, FX’s view is to put the past behind you and enjoy what you have now!
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Less than 33% of teens with depression get help, yet 80% of teens with depression can be successfully treated if they seek help from a doctor or therapist.
