Cabinet to decide on mental health shakeup

Federal cabinet will soon decide on a major shake-up of the mental health system.

Health Minister Sussan Ley is finalising a new reform package off the back of a review released earlier this year, which found people were falling through the cracks of a disjointed system.

"It's very difficult for a person who's perfectly well to navigate (the existing system), let alone a person who's quite ill," she told ABC radio on Monday.

Ms Ley won't spell out the specific changes she will take to cabinet.

But once the plan is decided, Ms Ley will "stress test" it with people in the system to make sure it will help.

The changes will deliver the level of help people need, in the location and timeframe they require, she said.

It will include making sure people who leave hospital after a suicide attempt are not left alone without follow-up care.

"Being lonely inside your mental illness is a real problem in Australia today," she said.

Ms Ley will announce the package by the end of the year.

* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14