Letters from the Switched on "Bullying" issue

I just moved to a new school and already it seems like people are making fun of me all the time. Like, I will pass by and I'll hear people start laughing. I know they're talking about me because they did this at my last school too. I barely know anyone here but I'm afraid they will just start making fun of me. Ugh, I do not know what to do!! I hate this.
-E.

Dear E,
It sounds like you are having trouble adjusting to your new school. From what your letter, it seems that you were made fun of at your old school and that is making you feel afraid that people are making fun of you already at your current school. Are you absolutely sure that they are laughing at you? Sometimes, it may seem as if people are ridiculing you; the people you pass by might not necessarily be laughing at you. If you're sure that they are ridiculing you, a good option may be to talk to someone you trust (maybe a parent or a friend from your old school) about how you feel.
Signed,
Switched-On

Dear Switched-On,
When we were in middle school, my friends and I would make fun of a boy in our class who we thought was really weird. Now that I think about it, I should have been less mean towards that boy because for all I know what we said might have made him less confident. I feel really bad about what we did. I'm in high school now and I just found that boy on Facebook, and I really want to make up for all the terrible stuff we said about him. Is there any way I can do that? I mean I'm scared that he's really bitter about this and stuff and might not wanna talk to me.
-Andrea

Dear Andrea,
It's good that you have thought about how your treatment of somebody might have affected them in their lives; trying to have some sense of reconciliation with someone you feel you have hurt can be a really difficult process. Can you try sending the boy you made fun of in middle school an email or a letter that expresses what you have expressed in this letter to the National Runaway Switchboard? There is a possibility that he might spurn you, but don't let that stop you from trying to talk to him. Sometimes a simple but sincere expression of remorse for something like this can be effective in reconciling.
Signed,
Switched-On

Dear National Runaway Switchboard Staff,
Do you help teens with other issues like that of bullying or is your organization exclusively focused on runaway issues?
Just curious,
A Teacher

Dear Teacher,
Though our organization is focused primarily on the causes, effects, and on the prevention of running away, runaway issues are complex at best and may be related to other issues that affect youth and their parents. To that effect, we are not focused exclusively on runaway issues, and do help youth with other issues that are concerning them.
Signed,
Switched-On