diff --git a/has_messages.gemspec b/has_messages.gemspec
index 0af6226..2dce20c 100644
--- a/has_messages.gemspec
+++ b/has_messages.gemspec
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 Gem::Specification.new do |s|
   s.name = %q{has_messages}
-  s.version = "0.4.3.6-topics"
+  s.version = "0.4.3.7"
 
   s.required_rubygems_version = Gem::Requirement.new(">= 0") if s.respond_to? :required_rubygems_version=
   s.authors = ["Aaron Pfeifer"]
diff --git a/lib/has_messages.rb b/lib/has_messages.rb
index 57a0e75..56d677e 100644
--- a/lib/has_messages.rb
+++ b/lib/has_messages.rb
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 # Adds a generic implementation for sending messages between users
 module HasMessages
+  MESSAGE_TOPIC_FIELD_DELIMITER = "-"
+
   module MacroMethods
     # Creates the following message associations:
     # * +messages+ - Messages that were composed and are visible to the owner.
@@ -90,6 +92,10 @@ def topical_messages_for(receiver, recipient_state = nil)
     def unread_topical_messages_for(receiver)
       topical_messages_for(receiver, :unread)
     end
+
+    def message_topic_field
+      "#{self.class.to_s}#{HasMessages::MESSAGE_TOPIC_FIELD_DELIMITER}#{self.id}"
+    end
   end
 end