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Local psychiatrist and Text4Mood program recognized on international stage

Last Updated Nov 7, 2017 at 6:55 am MDT

PHOTO. Supplied: AHS website.

Local psychiatrist, Dr. Vincent Aqyapong, has been working on getting more support for mental health throughout the Wood Buffalo region in a technologically savvy way.

“Fort McMurray traditionally has more people seeking services than the services that are available in terms of health care,” said Dr. Agypong. “When I was working in Fort McMurray, initially the wait list to access counselling services was about 13 weeks so we thought it would be good to get some interim support for those who are on the wait list for one-to-one counselling.” 

SUPPLIED: Dr. Vincent Agyapong worked with AHS Addiction and Mental Health North Zone launched Text4Mood in January 2016. AHS.

Working with Alberta Health Services (AHS) Addiction and Mental Health North Zone, Dr. Aqyapong, launched Text4Mood, a supportive text-messaging program to residents of northern Alberta needing or wanting mental health support. Through the program, mental health therapists send a daily supportive text message to subscribers. In the first year of operation over 10,000 people had subscribed to the program.

“We launched the Text4Mood to offer psychological help for patients who are usually seeking addiction and mental health counselling for depression and anxiety but usually there is a wait list or there are some barrier in terms of where they are geographically located,” said Dr. Agypong. 

The program is now being recognized by the Mental Health Innovation Network, an international community of mental health innovators with headquarters at the World Health Organization (WHO).

“We certainly were not expecting it to take off the way that it did, but we are very happy that people are finding this program helpful and encouraging,” says Debi Morris, Director North Zone East Addictions and Mental Health, with AHS.

“We are always looking for ways to increase accessibility to services for Albertans, and this is just one other way that we can help support individuals and families.”

To participate in the program text “MOOD” to 760-670-3130. A sign up fee may apply depending on your cell phone plan.

For more information about mental health services in your area call the health link at 811 or visit www.ahs.ca.