Incidents such as suicide attempts, panic attacks, overdoses and other callouts from people experiencing a mental health crisis will be mapped to show where and when they happen.

Paramedics will also be given training to help them deal with the challenging behaviour they often encounter when people are highly distressed. They will carry resource packs with them to distribute to patients.

The mapping system has been developed by the Turning Point Drug and Alcohol Centre, at Monash University, and is funded by mental health charity beyondblue and men's health initiative the Movember Foundation.

Turning Point director Professor Dan Lubman said the project focused on men because they sought help less often than women but were three times more likely to die by suicide.

"This is the only program of its kind in the world and will have enormous benefits," Professor Lubman said.

Sophisticated analysis would help researchers track men through the healthcare system and work out where the opportunities were for early intervention, he said.

The mapping will capture data from paramedics relating to male mental health incidents for three years from 2015, but will not include personal details like names.

Mick Stephenson, a regional manager with Ambulance Victoria, said mental health incidents represent about 10 per cent of their call outs, which translates to 50,000 people a year.

Men make up about 40 per cent of these, but are over-represented in suicide-related incidents, representing about two-thirds.

The mapping would help paramedics identify groups of patients who are at risk, Mr Stephenson said. "It's associated with tough times, financially depressed areas, but it's important to remember that mental health does not discriminate. You could be a millionaire in Toorak and still suffer from a mental health disorder," he said.

Beyondblue director Georgie Harman said the mapping would make it possible to engage with men early and give them timely help.

"If we identify that a large number of men are ringing ambulances for heart attacks when they are actually panic attacks, we can work out ways to link them with the right services," Ms Harman said.

The Movember Foundation announced on Thursday the largest-ever non-government investment in men's mental health in Australia, allocating $22 million to eight programs, including this one.

The mapping expands on a pilot program and will be done in all states and territories except for West Australia, which is still in negotiations.

If you are suffering depression or feel distressed please visit beyondblue.org.au or call Lifeline on 131 114.

For more social affairs stories follow @perkinsmiki or Facebook