International and Australian experts, policy makers and youth have gathered at Tasmania's Youth Mental Health Forum to discuss how to better address the needs of young people through the development of an innovative and integrated mental health system.

Youth Network of Tasmania chief executive Tania Hunt said young Tasmanians have identified mental health as their leading health concern.

"Young Tasmanians have reported significant challenges in accessing appropriate and timely mental health care and support and therefore need to be included in the conversation in planning for an integrated mental health system," Ms Hunt said.

"Over the two days we will hear from young people around what has worked for them and some of the barriers they have faced to accessing the type of care they needed when unwell."

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Toronto senior scientist Dr Joanna Henderson said the voice of young people was critical when developing mental health services.

"We work very closely with youth who are hired onto our team (in Canada). They bring their lived experience and they facilitate a connection to larger groups of people," Dr Henderson said.

Dr Henderson said a shift in focus away from a traditional medical model to expand and include wellness and the changing needs of young people was needed.

"We know that lots of young people experience very fragmented care. Whenever there is a transition point we lose young people in those gaps," she said.

"We need to create a system of care that follows young people along the developmental journey.

"Building a system that is integrated across different domains - school, work, relationships, mental health, substance use, primary care, sexual health - it allows young people to just walk in the door and say 'I need support'".

Mental Heath Council of Tasmania chief executive Connie Digolis said the forum came as a result of conversations about difficulties in navigating and accessing services and an increased universal demand for youth mental health services.

"We have been continually talking about the need for an integrated mental health system, and this couldn't be truer for young Tasmanians and their families that deserve access to care and support that will meet their needs at the right time," Ms Digolis said.

Following the forum, community information sessions will be held across the state in early 2020 to share the forum's outcomes and hear more from young people, families, service frontline workers and other stakeholders.