Mental health workers would be sent into every Victorian state high school under a $51.2 million Labor election pledge.
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The announcement, which follows Labor's promise of a royal commission into the state's mental health system, is in response to unprecedented levels of depression and anxiety among students.
It's estimated that one in seven Victorians between four and 17 has a mental health issue, with secondary school students hit the hardest.
Victorian Education Minister James Merlino said the funding would employ more than 190 mental health professionals including counsellors, youth workers and psychologists.
They will provide every government secondary school with between one and five days a week of support, depending on its size.
"We know that when our kids are happy and healthy they can focus on their learning and have the best opportunity to succeed in education and excel in life," Mr Merlino said.
“More health professionals in schools will mean the kids who need extra help will get it, and won’t be left behind.”
Principals have told The Age they are struggling to respond to alarming rates of mental illness among students.
At one Victorian school, which does not wish to be identified, the number of students presenting with depression or anxiety grew from 285 in 2015 to 743 last year.
The school supported 298 students who were experiencing suicidal ideation or serious self harm last year, compared with 47 in 2015.
"Schools are experiencing the rising tide of mental health issues among young people and struggling to do everything we would like to do to support our students," said one principal, who did not want to be named.
He said untreated mental health issues led to poor attendance, disengagement and poor relationships at school and home.
Bringing mental health services into schools was a no brainer, he said.
"Students are seeking support at school. We know that many of them won't make it to services in the community. Some won't have access and it can be intimidating."
The Mental Health in Schools proposal follows Labor's Doctors in Schools program, which has deployed GPs into 100 disadvantaged government schools around the state.
About 40 per cent of the work handled by these doctors has involved students with mental health issues.
Under the new plan, the government will join forces with Orygen National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health to promote wellbeing in schools.
The new mental health workers would provide at least 385,000 hours of extra support to schools over the next four years.
They will provide counselling to students, early intervention services, coordinate support for students with severe needs and lead prevention activities.
Schools will also receive expert mental health advice through a new web portal.
Labor says the initiative has already been budgeted for and the Education Department would start implementing it ahead of next month's state election.
