The inaugural Music Homestead Let's Talk Country Music Festival runs in Mortlake on Saturday

The Let's Talk Country Music Festival is being held at Ray Anderson's Music Homestead in Mortlake on Saturday.

Secretary of Music Homestead Julie Stewart-Murray said a broad range of 28 country musicians would perform with Let's Talk Foundation presenters also speaking throughout the day.

The foundation was set up in 2016 "after an increase in suicide rates in the south-west community" with the goal to end stigma around mental illness and distress, encourage people to seek help and increase community knowledge.

Ms Stewart-Murray said Let's Talk chose mental health as a cause to support to encourage people to talk.

"In the area we've lost some young people to suicide," she said.

"Often people don't know others are having problems until it's late, so it's really important to put the subject out in the open and for people to talk about it like they would a broken leg."

Let's Talk Foundation co-ordinator Jacinta Roache said the homestead had been a great support of the charity.

"They support their own community and share our message," she said.

"The homestead are really great supporters of new and supporting artists and are very open and forthcoming in sharing the message of mental health."

As part of the day, 26 Murray to Moyne riders from the south-west and Canberra are riding from Warrnambool to the festival.

Ms Roach said the aim was to remove the silence surrounding mental illness.

"We aim to normalise the conversation about our health and wellness, including mental health."

BYO blankets, chairs and food, drinks available to purchase. Gold coin entry donation.

Music from noon-8pm.

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