The Association of the Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill's 10th annual event aimed to raise awareness of mental illness - something that affects an estimated 130,000 people in the Hunter.

More than 500 people donned colourful outfits for the walk, which started at Pacific Park and finished at Civic Park.

ARAFMI service manager Joanne Sinclair said it was a great effort for the 10th event.

"A lot has changed in 10 years - there's a lot more happening in mental health, there are a lot more people speaking out and it's a lot more spoken about in the media. We're all touched by it in some way."

At the end of the walk, dozens of local support services such as Headspace were on hand to provide people with information about where and how to receive help.

There was also entertainment, food and plenty of fun activities for children.