Victoria wants the damning findings of its mental health royal commission to be a blueprint for reform across the country.
The inquiry found Victoria's system to be in catastrophic failure, woefully inadequate, operating largely in crisis mode and needing a total rebuild.
"This isn't a problem unique to Victoria," mental health commission chair Penny Armytage told reporters on Tuesday.
"We are hopeful (the findings) may be a blueprint for the way in which not only Victoria will reform its mental health system but that other states and territories can follow."
Premier Daniel Andrews flagged the possibility of a partnership with the federal government to implement and pay for the reforms.
There are more than 65 recommendations, including repealing the current Mental Health Act and replacing it with a new one no later than mid-2022.
Also under the changes, a Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission would be established. It would need to include at least one commissioner who has lived with mental illness.
A new role as chief officer for mental health would also help oversee the overhaul of the system.
Regional services would be boosted, including with between 50 and 60 new services for adults and the creation of eight regional bodies to oversee services across different states.
The commission also pointed to the need to boost the badly under-resourced mental health workforce.
TAFE is a state responsibility, but Mr Andrews called on his federal counterparts to make more university education available.
No dollar figure has been put on the total cost of reforming the system.
Mr Andrews did not reveal any new funding commitments when the report was delivered, but said it would be detailed in the May state budget.
"We know what the problem is, we know where the challenges are and now we just have to get on and do something about it," he said.
Ms Armytage found the mental health system had "catastrophically failed to live up to expectations and is woefully unprepared for current and future challenges".
"Despite the goodwill and hard work of many people, Victoria's mental health system has deteriorated for a multitude of reasons and over the course of many years," the report said.
"We heard from people and their families, at times in harrowing detail, about the impacts of being turned away from services at their darkest hour and the sometimes tragic consequences of this."
People experience enormous frustration and distress when trying to find the help they need, while a lack of resources mean many are turned away unless in absolute crisis.
There's an over-reliance on the use of hospitals, crisis services and medication, with the latter relied on as the main and sometimes only treatment.
Each year, one-in-five Victorians will experience mental illness. Last year the state recorded 698 deaths by suicide, more than triple the road toll.
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