A report by the Productivity Commission has revealed that mental illness and suicide are costing Australia an estimated $500 million per day.
The proposal to examine the effect of mental health on economic participation and productivity was put forward by the Government last year and found that schools should employ mental health and wellbeing counselors for children.
Chairman Michael Brennan says he believes there is government appetite for changes, and mental health is not only a broad social policy issue, but an economic policy issue as well.
"But that really represents what underlies that is pain felt by individuals and families who are spending years in mental ill health and not necessarily having services they need available to them," Mr Brennan said.