The Youth Coalition of the ACT quizzed 36 young people aged 12 to 25 and found, despite greater community discussion of mental health and mental illness, their understanding varied widely and the stigma linked to the topic remained significant.

"This lack of understanding combined with stigma can significantly impact on the ability of young people to support their own or others' mental health and wellbeing," the report on the survey said.

The research, released on Monday, found mental health was a major concern for young people and prompted the coalition to call for more resources and funding to be poured into education and early intervention.

While most young people were familiar with the concept of mental health, some said they often linked it with "depression", "a bad thing" or a person being "cuckoo".

Youth felt there was still significant stigma around mental health and mental illness and it was often an "overwhelming and uncomfortable subject" among their peers.

"Young people identified that while friends can be helpful to talk to about mental health, they sometimes fear disclosing to friends in case they are treated differently or seen as weak or attention-seeking," the report said.

There was a mixed response from participants when they were asked whether they felt they had the knowledge and necessary skills to support their own mental health and wellbeing, or that of a friend.

While most acknowledged they could go to a family member, teacher or mental health professional, others said they didn't know where they would go to seek help.

The findings showed a whole of community response was needed to help remove barriers that often stopped young people seeking help, such as cost, limited transport options, stigma, discrimination, confidentiality concerns and long waiting times, the coalition said.

Director Emma Robertson said young Canberrans wanted to see money invested in mental health education in primary schools, more training in mental health for school staff, and accessible, age-appropriate support services.

"This goes beyond any one portfolio and requires a co-ordinated response from health, education, community services and planning."

Ms Robertson said one in four young people were likely to experience mental health problems in any given year and most of those problems emerged before the age of 25, which meant an early response was needed.

"We must ensure that experiencing mental ill health or illness does not result in barriers to young people's social and economic participation, particularly in respect to engaging with education, transitions to employment and developing support networks."