how many good friends are neccesary to have good emotional health? and what makes someone a friend?

The number of friends isn't as important as the quality of friends. Some people may have 50 people they consider friends but when they really need emotional support from someone they may find that none of those 50 are willing or able to provide the support needed. The key is to develop deep friendships with those who are reliable and share your same interests. These are the friends who last a life time. All others are seasonal friends that each serve their own purpose in your life.

I just read somewhere and thought it was true..that a good friend is someone who is walking into your life when others are walking out.

Hello Ronitwit,

A friend, to me, is someone who is real. By that, I mean unpretentious and unasssuming: Sincere, honest, open, accepting, etc.

I agree with Henry Adams who said, "Friends are born. Not made." The road to realness is a challenging one. Those who travel it, posess great character. I certainly enjoy the company of acquaintances, but have been blessed with two real people as friends.

In relationships with people who are real, support, stability and peace of mind seem to just fall into line.

[This message was edited by doriek on 07-23-02 at 02:19 PM.]

To me, the things that make up a good friend...are people that are there for you when times are tough! They will listen to your problems and then help YOU to decide the outcome. They won't go and gossip things all over the neighborhood. And last (but not least)..they will call you or come to see you EVEN when they don't want anything!

If you find one true friend you should consider yourself lucky.

To me, having a best guy friend is sometimes easier than having a best girl friend. My close guy friends were always there even when me and my close girl friends would get in stupid little fights. Guys tend not to judge people so easily. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade my girl friends for the world, but I have guy friends who are just as close!

"It's the friends you can call up at 4 a.m. that matter." Marlene Dietrich, 1901 - 1992, German film star.

The number of friends one needs to be happy (or emotionally healthy) depends on one´s level of co-dependency... he he he. Bad joke.
No... it varies from person to person, some people need more friends and some need less. Some people just nned to feel like they know a lot of people but don´t really need to have true friends, some others may only have one or two friends and be haapy like that.
It all depends.
Also the definition of friend also depends on the person. I think as long as you are confortable with one person and you both have each other´s trust, you can say you are friends...