Residents can sign up to receive daily positive texts

NORTH ZONE – Northern Alberta residents seeking more positivity in their lives can now sign up for Alberta Health Services’ free supportive text messaging program, launching today.

Participants in the Text4Mood program receive one or two positive text messages every day, reminding them, for example, sometimes it’s OK to feel down and there are better days ahead.

The program is designed to help people with mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, but all northern Albertans are welcome to sign up.

“One of the biggest benefits of this program is that the support is immediate and can act as an intervention while a patient is, for example, between appointments or receiving other care,” says Dr. Vincent Agyapong, an adult psychiatrist in Fort McMurray who developed the program in partnership with Addiction and Mental Health in the North Zone of Alberta Health Services (AHS).

Dr. Agyapong – also an Associate Clinical Professor with the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Alberta – adds his research partners at the U of A are helping him monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

Fort McMurray resident Candace Hawco has experienced depression since she was 15. The 37-year-old patient of Dr. Agyapong has participated in the project’s pilot phase.

“I love it,” says Hawco. “There are days where I feel low, my phone dings and, when I look, it’ll be a positive message. I look forward to receiving them. They’re encouraging, motivating and help me keep going.”

Debra Samek, Director, Addiction and Mental Health for AHS North Zone, Northeast, says the program is not intended to replace therapies or interventions, but is rather another added support to someone’s overall care plan.

“We see a lot of people who are struggling with depression and this is just another service to offer them,” says Samek, adding the service is private and confidential.

Residents can text “MOOD” to 7606703130 to sign up for the program. Call HealthLink at 811 or visit ahs.ca for more information about mental health services in your area.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

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