def start_chat(self, contact_id):
participant = User.getUserById(contact_id)
if Chat.getChatByParticipants(self.current_user, participant):
self.current_chat = Chat.getChatByParticipants(self.current_user, participant)
else:
chat_id = self.current_user.startChat(participant)
self.current_chat = Chat.getChatById(chat_id)
