More health workers will be needed to strengthen the workforce in line with the Federal Government’s $1.5 billion budget boost to mental health.

The Australian College of Mental Health Nurses has welcomed the much-needed funds but called for urgent discussions to develop the workforce ahead of the new services and programs.

ACMHN CEO Kim Ryan said the government needed an integrated strategy to ensure the workforce was equipped to deliver on the budget’s mental health investment.

"It is crucial to identify where additional health professionals and other mental health workers will come from and to up-skill the current workforce to deliver the new services," she said.

"Attracting and retaining nurses and other health professionals in the disadvantaged areas being targeted by this investment will be a challenge and we look forward to working with the government on these workforce issues."

The government announced a range of measures targeting communities in need and the early detection of mental health issues.

The extra $1.5 billion brings the government’s total mental health commitment to $2.2 billion, including $571 million for the severely mentally ill, $419 million for teens and young adults, $220 million for primary care and $32 million for the establishment of the National Mental Health Commission.