A big blue bus has set off on a 16-month national tour aimed at helping people cope with depression and anxiety.
The beyondblue bus will drive 22,000km across the country and visit dozens of communities.
One of the main aims is to encourage people to seek help for anxiety and depression.
Australia has more than 2300 suicides a year, and the bus could save lives, says Health Minister Peter Dutton.
"More people need to reach out for support when they need it. I'm confident the roadshow will help drive home the importance of this."
At least one in five Australians experiences depression or anxiety, or both in any 12 months, says beyondblue. But the latest Roy Morgan research shows fewer than half the Australians with a mental illness seek treatment.
The bus started its roadshow in Canberra on Tuesday. It heads to Sydney, the Blue Mountains, rural South Australia and Adelaide in March.
Each stop will tie in with local events and will feature workplace mental health presentations, free mental health check-ups and community barbecues.
"By going into communities and getting up close and personal with thousands of Australians, we are going to make them sit up and pay attention to issues that too many choose to ignore," says beyondblue chairman Jeff Kennett.
* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention an contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
