11D Depression
Channel: timtak1
Date: 2013-10-13

My first year at university was the first time I had lived alone. I am pretty shy, so I did not find it easy to make new friends. I missed my family, school friends and neighbours from back home. Then, when I got a part time job, I did not have enough time to do my course work or cook proper meals. I did not eat a balanced diet and, worst of all, I couldn't sleep. When I caught influenza in mid-winter, I did not have anyone to support me. Being ill and on my own was really depressing. Then I became even more ill, because I was depressed. 
I was lucky because I was able to move back to my family home. I am pretty embarrassed about that, and I would like to move back to near university soon. But I realise that I am going to have to take better care of my health, especially the amount I sleep. It is said that sleep is the barometer of mental health. 80% of people who attempt suicide are suffering from a shortage of sleep. I am not going to commit suicide, but every year more than 300 Japanese students do. These days I always try and go to bed before midnight.

Resources to support Timothy Takemoto's "English for Spies" textbook which will one day be available with an "unbound licence" (photocopiable resource, net redistribution fine with link ) at tekisuto.com