The committee in particular wants to learn the causes as to why people in rural areas access mental health services at a lower rate despite the higher rate of suicide compared to the rest of the country.

It will examine attitudes towards mental health services, the nature of the mental health workforce, and challenges in service delivery.

Mental Health Council Tasmania project officer Kaitlyn Graham said there was a stigma attached to accessing mental health services in smaller communities.

She said through consultation, it was revealed this stigma could contribute to higher suicide rates in rural areas as well as social isolation and distance from, and a lack of access to mental health services.

Mental Health Carers Tasmania chief executive Maxine Griffiths said issues with accessing quality mental health services in regional areas was difficult to resolve

She said there were problems in recruiting and retaining the workforce and residential short-stay facilities for mental health patients once they left hospital did not exist outside the state’s main cities.

Ms Griffiths said if there were more of these beds in regional areas it would result in considerable cost savings for hospitals and free up hospital beds.

She said there should be a peer-support network development in regional areas, such as access to the training and personal development opportunities, and mental health first aid training for regional populations.

Ms Graham said a mental health workforce strategy needed to be developed to address specialist shortages and moves to upskill the existing workforce.

Inquiry hearing will be held in Devonport on Wednesday and St Helens on Thursday.

The committee is due to report on October 17.