Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce is inviting anyone 16 or older to attend a free mental health first aid class, sponsored by Kosciusko Cares, that will be hosted sometime in September at the chamber’s office, 110 1/2 E. Main St., Syracuse.

The mental health first aid class will be broken down to two four-hour class sessions that will provide participants with “mental health literacy,” or a basic understanding of what different metal illnesses and addictions are, how they can affect a person’s daily life and what helps individuals experiencing these challenges get well.

Topics will include depression and mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma, psychosis and substance use disorders. Marsha Carey, a national instructor of mental health first aid and youth mental health first aid, will lead the class.

In a press release, Chamber Executive Director Tammy Cotton stated there are no dates for this certified class yet since the chamber needs to find out if there is an interest in the community.

She asks interested people contact her at the chamber office soon so the class can be scheduled for this September. So far, Cotton stated, the chamber is looking at two 8 a.m. to noon sessions.

Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce can be contacted at 574-457-5637 or [email protected].