For Veterans who would like guidance for staying safe or managing stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, Annie can help. Annie is VA’s automated text messaging program that sends health information and self-care reminders. Any cell phone with texting capabilities can receive Annie messages.
There are two types of Annie COVID-19 messages:
- Coronavirus Precaution messages can help you understand and monitor symptoms. These Annie messages provide information about COVID-19, send tips on actions you can take to protect yourself and help you monitor for viral symptoms. They also help you assess what to do if you are experiencing symptoms, including whether to contact your care team or a nurse triage line.
- Coping During COVID-19 messages help ease feelings of anxiety or isolation. A few times a week, Annie sends a text asking if you would like a coping tip. If you reply ‘yes,’ Annie sends one of more than 60 activities that you can do to help decrease feelings of anxiety, anger, depression, and isolation. Coping During COVID-19 is a self-care tool designed to help you feel more connected and less stressed.
How to Subscribe
To participate in the Annie program, you must first register online. The registration process is fast and easy. Follow these instructions.
Once your registration is complete you can subscribe to Annie’s health and wellness message protocols. Simply text Annie (75338) with the word SUB and the protocol’s keyword.
- For the Coronavirus Precautions protocol, text SUB COVID.
- For the Coping During COVID-19 protocol, text SUB COPE.
Visit this page for a list of other Annie message protocols that are currently available.
Visit Annie on the VA App Store for more information and instructions. If you need additional assistance or have questions, the Health Resource Center can help you. They can be reached at 877-327-0022 and are open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
How-to Videos
VA also has developed two how-to videos to help guide you through Annie’s registration and subscription process.
Watch the Annie self-registration video:
Watch the “Subscribe to Annie’s Coronavirus Precautions” video (NOTE: The process to subscribe to Coping During COVID messages is the same, except the keyword is COPE, as in SUB COPE.):
Treva Lutes is the communications director for the Office of Connected Care.
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Hi John. That COVID-19 protocol lasts for 2 months. Try subscribing again by texting Annie (75338) with SUB COVID … you can also subscribe to the new coping protocol by texting Annie with SUB COPE. It lasts for 20 weeks.
Not getting Annie at all
Something weird happened. I did not UNSUBSCRIBE from Annie’s COVID-19 protocol; however, I stopped getting Annie’s messages AFTER JUNE 13. I did NOT send Annie a “Stop” message, nor did I ask my VA Provider to decrease the number of check-ins, so I’m not sure why that happened! I went to AnnieMAP, and it showed me, “You are not subscribed to any protocols at this time.” THAT’S WRONG–I WAS subscribed to the COVID-19 protocol, and DID NOT STOP IT OR REDUCE THE NUMBER OF TIMES ANNIE SHOULD CHECK-IN WITH ME. So, I’m thinking VA might want to “check their system” and see if any others are experiencing this issue. I am, at this very moment, RE-SUBSCRIBING to the COVID-19 protocol. Hoping this does not happen again! Thank you!
How does someone that has no celluler service or smart phone get access to Annie????
Hi Gordon – You can use free texting apps like What’s App or TextNow if you don’t have a cellular phone plan.