"All of us are touched by [mental illness]," Mr Andrews said. "Beyond that, we're all paying the price – some very personally in terms of tragedy in the family, but all of us as taxpayers. $14.2 billion in costs, hundreds of millions of dollars every day – that's the cost of failure. And of course, the cost you can't put a price on – and that's the lives lost to suicide, and the lives forever changed by a system that simply doesn't work." Mr Andrews conceded implementing all of the recommendations would be costly, but that the "cost of inaction is far, far greater". The introduction of a special levy or tax to fund mental health services is expected to raise hundreds of millions of dollars. The Premier has not provided a dollar figure on how much extra money would be needed, but the government has committed to continuing to fund the mental health system through the budget. Options that would not need parliamentary approval will also be canvassed, as the opposition indicated it would not support funding the recommendations through a levy. Commission chair Penny Armytage said the state invested $1.7 billion annually in the mental health sector, but this was “grossly disproportionate” compared with investment into physical health.

“We have failed as a society to demand a level of investment that is comparable to other forms of healthcare,” said Ms Armytage. “We do not believe that the standard budget processes will prioritise mental health in the way that it needs to." Premier Daniel Andrews says the cost of inaction is "far, far greater" than investing more money in the mental health system. Credit:AAP The report recommended a centre for mental health and wellbeing, similar to the Peter McCallum cancer centre, be built immediately, along with 170 new acute mental health beds in Melbourne’s north and west, and in Geelong. It also called for greater support for Aboriginal people, including social and wellbeing officers in community and health centres. Loading

“The suicide rate within our Indigenous community is something of great concern to us," Ms Armytage said. "We haven't got into this position overnight, and it will take some time to rectify the system," Mental Health Minister Martin Foley said. Emma King, the head of the Victorian Council of Social Service, said rebuilding the broken system would cost money, and a levy could be part of the solution. "What price a life?" she said. "The key thing will be ensuring new investments flow directly to the low-income Victorians who need them most, and who are currently missing out.” Loading

Erica Williams, 22, appeared before the commission to give evidence about her experience with acute mental illness. She welcomed the report’s call to expand follow-up care after a person had tried to kill themselves, including outreach services and help after hours. Ms Williams said she once presented to an emergency department with suicidal thoughts and was discharged early by a nurse the following morning without any consultation with doctors. “There’s not enough acute beds, so people can’t stay for as long as they need to be there,” she said. Ms Williams said a residential service designed by people who had experienced mental illness could help bridge the “missing middle” - those whose mental illness is too complex to be treated by a general practitioner but not sick enough to seek emergency help. Health and Community Services Union state secretary Paul Healey welcomed a commitment for 180 new positions each year in the mental health sector.