$200 million mental health boost for Victorian primary schools

Almost every primary school in Victoria will soon have a teacher with specialised mental health counselling training in a landmark reform.

The state government will invest $200 million to expand the Mental Health in Primary Schools program after a successful pilot.

The funding will be used to train and employ 1800 teachers as mental health and wellbeing leaders.

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"If we can identify and intervene early then we can really improve the mental health and wellbeing of all children," Minister for Mental Health and Education James Merlino said.

"We know the earlier in life young Victorians get mental health support, the better their chances of staying happy and healthy throughout adulthood.

"We're making sure every Victorian child has access to safe, tailored care through their trusted school environment, giving them the care they need, when they need it, close to home."

It comes as the state government introduced a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Act to parliament today.

It will replace the current Mental Health Act 2014, and will establish a new mental health and wellbeing commission along with creating regional mental health and wellbeing boards in the state.

The change was a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into the mental health system.