Do you think it's a good idea to reconnect with old friends?

It's my deceased brothers Ed girlfriend. We stopped talking because she didn't really know much about mental health, regardless of how my brother /trigger/ took his own life/end trigger.

I texted her in good spirits because we used to be very close. But now I feel bad and regret for initiating a conversation.

So far we have only spoke in code, my defense mechanism I guess you can call it.

Please reply anyone, kinda urgent so I can put my mind to rest.

A personal experience would be helpful.

Thank you

It entirely depends on the people. It can feel like a relief to establish the connection again, but can also feel extremely disappointing. A couple years ago I tried to get back in touch with an old friend who moved away after high school to a different state. It started out great, we both missed each other (she said so anyways) and we talked about recent things. I didn't talk about anything depressing either, but after that first day conversation completely died again and since she's a social butterfly it's a bit odd, so I'm just choosing to leave it alone. She has new friends and a husband now so there's no room for me in her life it seems. If she wants to talk she knows my number now.

Please don't use my personal experience to say "it will definitely be bad for me too". I've seen plenty of cases where it worked out great. I think at the worst you will end up getting some closure from this. It seems you want to reconnect with her, but I'm assuming her lack of knowledge on MI is the problem? Perhaps you can try educating her, and if she isn't receptive then maybe it will be easier to just move on with your life and leave her out of it.

Eh. Honestly, the friends I've stayed in contact with over many decades...well, I've stayed in contact with them for a good reason. When I've reconnected with old friends after many years apart, unfortunately it has turned out badly. Mostly because politics entered into the conversation and, yeah....not good.

Then there are a couple of friends who I truly care about, but they want to be in contact several times per week. I'm not a phone person and these friends are phone people who live thousands of miles from me. I'm fine with talking to them, say, once every 3 months. But what has tended to happen is that they call me about 8 times every month. I usually don't answer, but then I feel bad. When I DO answer...well...they are looking to unload on me with all their problems and issues. They need a therapist, not me. When I try to talk about myself, they just turn it into something about themselves.

There are times when I kind of wish we hadn't reconnected...or that we just touched base around the holidays.

Update:

I've kept my distance and she knows I will respect hers.

She's more than welcome to contact me (until I change my number, every year so far ha)
But I think it's best I not contact her, something about her I just don't fully trust.

She lies alot.

Thanks guys 🤙