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18 Months to a New Life: Overcoming Depression and Drinks
1 Feb
Summary
- A man lost five stone and quit drinking.
- He improved his mental health significantly.
- A project supports people not seen by doctors.
A free health initiative in Reading has empowered individuals to turn their lives around. Wassim Chokri, who was previously overweight and grappling with depression and anxiety, made a significant life change after receiving a check-up through the Community Wellness Outreach (CWO) project. This initiative aims to reduce health inequality by reaching out to people who haven't seen a doctor in years.
Chokri reported consuming around 15 to 20 pints of Guinness weekly and admitted to making poor lifestyle choices. Following his initial assessment via CWO, he successfully lost five stone, ceased drinking alcohol, and experienced a substantial improvement in his mental well-being. The project has supported over 4,000 people and now operates from a new center.
The CWO project, a collaboration between Reading Borough Council, Royal Berkshire Hospital, local GPs, and Reading Voluntary Action, focuses on identifying preventable illnesses in vulnerable communities. Individuals over 18 can visit without an appointment to be screened for conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease, with practical support and medication also available.
