Each October, you’ll find the Port Macquarie community donning jerseys and lacing up their boots for a soccer tournament to mark World Mental Health Month.
Now in its fifth year, the 2024 Neami Community Cup brought together consumers, community members and 28 local organisations, to raise awareness for mental health.
Off the field, the sense of camaraderie carried over to a barbeque lunch, where people shared their stories and a strengthened connection to community wellbeing.
Local organisations hosted information stalls around the grounds, showcasing support options and resources to support good mental health.
An initiative of the Neami Mid North Coast service, the event was inspired by the way sport can bring people together and support multiple facets of health in a non-clinical setting.
This year’s Cup, sponsored by Community Housing Limited and the Port Saints Football Club, has also strengthened relationships between the Neami Mid North Coast service and other local organisations.
Neami Service Manager Cherie Caltabiano said, “(the event was) so much fun and such a great opportunity to raise awareness for mental health, showcase the fantastic services in our area, and emphasise the importance of collaboration. We can’t achieve our goals in isolation; working together is essential. This event truly highlighted the power of community and the positive impact of collective efforts.”