diff --git a/shared/utils/text.py b/shared/utils/text.py
index e4d6af8..601112d 100644
--- a/shared/utils/text.py
+++ b/shared/utils/text.py
@@ -86,11 +86,17 @@ def slimdown(text):
     b_pattern = re.compile(r"(\*\*)(.*?)\1")
     i_pattern = re.compile(r"(\*)(.*?)\1")
     u_pattern = re.compile(r"(__)(.*?)\1")
+    link_pattern = re.compile(r"\[([^\[]+)\]\(([^\)]+)\)")
 
     if text:
         text, n = re.subn(b_pattern, "<b>\\2</b>", text)
         text, n = re.subn(i_pattern, "<i>\\2</i>", text)
         text, n = re.subn(u_pattern, "<u>\\2</u>", text)
+        text, n = re.subn(link_pattern, "<a href=\'\\2\'>\\1</a>", text)
         return mark_safe(text)
     else:
         return ""
+
+
+def strip_links(text):
+    return re.sub(r'<a[^>]+>', '', text, flags=re.DOTALL).replace('</a>', '')