diff --git a/src/bot/utils/messaging.ts b/src/bot/utils/messaging.ts
index 7d66200..e74000c 100644
--- a/src/bot/utils/messaging.ts
+++ b/src/bot/utils/messaging.ts
@@ -12,33 +12,27 @@ if (!API_URL || !INSTANCE_NAME || !API_KEY) {
 }
 
 // Send a message with optional mentions
-export async function sendMessage(phone: string, message: string, mentions: string[] = []) {
+export async function sendMessage(phone: string, message: string | {text: string}, mentions: string[] = []) {
   try {
-    let payload: any;
+    // Normalize message input to always have text property
+    const messageText = typeof message === 'string' ? message : message.text;
     
+    let payload: any = {
+      number: phone,
+      text: messageText
+    };
+
     if (mentions.length > 0) {
-      // Format with mentions
-      payload = {
-        number: phone,
-        options: {
-          delay: 1200,
-          presence: 'composing',
-          linkPreview: false,
-          mentions: {
-            everyOne: false, // Set to false since we're mentioning specific users, not everyone
-            mentioned: mentions.map(phone => phone.split('@')[0]) // Strip @s.whatsapp.net
-          }
-        },
-        textMessage: {
-          text: message
+      // Add mentions if provided
+      payload.options = {
+        delay: 1200,
+        presence: 'composing',
+        linkPreview: false,
+        mentions: {
+          everyOne: false,
+          mentioned: mentions.map(phone => phone.split('@')[0])
         }
       };
-    } else {
-      // Simple message format
-      payload = {
-        number: phone,
-        text: message
-      };
     }
 
     await axios.post(`${API_URL}/message/sendText/${INSTANCE_NAME}`, payload, {