The nation's schools are being urged to ramp up lessons about mental health to curb behaviour fuelling family violence, in a call by a federal Liberal MP for a new priority in achieving a long-term solution to a lasting problem.

Mental health programs should also be expanded to do everything possible to help more of the likely perpetrators of violence against their partners, with men a particular priority because they are less likely to seek help.

Liberal MP Fiona Martin wants schools to teach children how to deal with behaviours that could lead to family violence. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Fiona Martin, a psychologist who spent years in private practice before entering Federal Parliament in May, issued the call out of concern at a likely "spike" in domestic violence when families are under pressure over the holiday period.

Writing in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age on Friday, Dr Martin said governments had spent years seeking cultural change to stop disrespect escalating into violence.