Gus Paterson had a difficult childhood having to console his mother through tough times.
But eventually it took a toll and he suffered from depression.
"Me being aware of my depression started in my early teens, but I think it started a lot earlier than that, during my childhood," the 19-year-old told SBS News.
Mr Paterson fell into a deeper depression with thoughts of self-harm before reaching out for help.
"As they started to develop into stronger feelings of suicide and really down moods, I saw that as a warning sign and started to seek help," he said.
Life changed when he walked into , a national youth mental health initiative, and he is now part of their youth reference group.
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"It's okay not to feel okay," he said. "Talking about how you're feeling to someone you can trust is the most important thing you can do."
Headspace is one of the mental health groups receiving a share of a $110 million funding boost from the federal government, targeting children and young people.
The package, announced on Monday, gives $46 million to help teachers and early childhood workers identify mental health issues in the classroom.
Headspace will receive an additional $30 million for its national program.
It estimates about one in four young people are living with a mental disorder in Australia, while ABS figures show suicide accounts for one third of all deaths of young people aged 18-24.
LGBTI people have the highest rates of suicide of any population in the country, with the average age of a first attempt just sixteen for this group.
"In some headspace centres, up to 40 per cent of young people presenting come with that background and what it's actually saying is that young people are actually seeking help," chief executive Jason Trethowan said.
He outlined 75 per cent of mental health issues emerge before the age of 25 and told reporters the funding boost would "give the mental health system a lot of confidence, because for too long, we've been operating on a year-by-year (basis), wondering what's going to happen the next year".
Other organisations to benefit from the funding increases include , , and .
"A lot of the money goes to extending existing programs for another two years because they've been incredibly successful," federal Rural Health Minister Bridget McKenzie said.
"It's essential that we catch mental health illness in young people early."
Australian readers seeking support and information about depression can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, or Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged 5 to 25).
- with additional reporting from Peggy Giakoumelos
