A $1000 grant from Mental Health Association NSW is supporting Dubbo's history-making Pride March on Saturday, October 31.
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The march, considered a first in Western NSW, coincides with the end of Mental Health Month.
Events and activities during the month have sought to increase awareness in Dubbo of mental health services.
The march will be led by headspace Dubbo and Rainbow Alliance of the not-for-profit Connected Communities Project (CCP).
Established and funded by the Commonwealth government, headspace operates 80 centres across Australia and online and telephone counselling services in support of young Australians aged 12 to 25.
Since opening early this year, headspace Dubbo has accommodated more than 1500 appointments and received 500-plus referrals.
Its partner in the march aims to address the social isolation that can be experienced by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersexual, Questioning and Asexual (LGBTIQA) people as part of the CCP's efforts to reduce the incidence of suicide in regional and rural communities.
Clinical leader at headspace Dubbo and CCP founder and president Ann-Maree Hartley is encouraging participation in the march that celebrates the "diversity and inclusivity of the Dubbo community".
"We encourage all community members to come down and join us in the march as well as participate in the fun day afterwards," she said.
"It will be a great day for services and straight allies to show their support for the diversity within the Dubbo community."
The march will kick off at 10am at the corner of Bligh and Bultje Streets behind Dubbo Square and make its way along Macquarie Street and Church Street to Ollie Robbins Oval where the fun day will run until 2pm.
