October is the perfect opportunity to help stop mental health stigma in the community

The Hastings Community Cup will be held on October 17, at Macquarie Park, Port Macquarie and is a chance for the whole community to come together to reduce the stigma around mental health and accessing local services.

The day will begin at 9am and will go through until 2pm with participants coming from Port Macquarie, Wauchope, the Camden Haven, Kempsey and Taree.

The day will be a lot of fun with a round robin soccer competition along with information and food stalls hosted through a collaboration between Neami National and local mental health services.

Organiser Ashley McIntosh said he welcomed the whole community to come and join in the fun.

"Last year it was a great event which was enjoyed by lots of people from a wide cross-section of the community," Mr McIntosh said.

"This year we are inviting people from right across the Mid North Coast to take part in the day and we are hoping to build on the great fun last year.

"We are encouraging people to get teams together to enter the competition and have some fun."

The event is in October to coincide with mental health awareness month and organisers say the day is all about cutting down the stigma associated with mental health and eliminating the barrier between consumers of mental health services and the community.

"We are proud of the event because as well as having a lot of fun we are having a very important conversation about mental health," he said.

"We will have more than 50 stalls at Macquarie Park and it will be a great family friendly event for everyone to enjoy.

"Representatives from the Mental Health unit at the Port Macquarie Base Hospital will be on hand along with NDIS providers, employment agencies, The Big Red Bus and Endeavour Clubhouse so it will be a great day."

For more information or to register a team contact the organisers on 6583 3443 or via email at midnorthcoast@neaminational.org.au.

Registering before the day is advised.