The 17-year-old quit Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts (WHSPA) at the end of Term 2 this year and is now completing her studies via the online Open Universities Australia.

"I've been feeling heaps better. I used to dread going to school. Now I can take things at my own pace and give myself breaks when I need them. It really has done wonders for my mental health," Avery said.

The Mount Ousley teenager added WHSPA had a mental health hub which students could access when needed.

"There were a fair number of counsellors but often they were busy and it can get crowded in there."

On Monday, NSW Labor urged the state government to fast-track additional school counsellors in NSW schools to combat the highest levels of youth suicide in 15 years.

It follows reports that half (50) of the 100 additional school counsellors promised by the Government will not be available until next year.

Shadow Minister for Mental Health Tara Moriarty used questions on notice to reveal that no additional school counsellors have been placed in schools to assist students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Communities across NSW are facing the worst incidence of youth suicide in 15 years. The Government needs to move much faster to deliver frontline mental health services to save lives," Ms Moriarty said.

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NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said schools have been incredible during this pandemic

"They have been providing fantastic support to their students throughout this period, and the assertion by the Opposition that they have not been doing so is reckless and wrong," Ms Mitchell said.

"There are currently more than 1100 full time equivalent counsellors working at our schools and the commitment to hire more is on schedule.

"New counsellors were not placed at schools during the learning from home period because the majority of students were not at school, so these services were provided online instead.

"Supporting the wellbeing of our students goes beyond the number of counsellors, which is why we have provided additional resources for staff, students and parents during this pandemic.

"I ask anyone who is struggling to take the opportunity to talk to someone they know or one of the services available either at school, online or over the phone."

Cynthia McCammon from the Catholic Education Diocese in Wollongong, said some students flourished during the remote learning period, while online learning brought on "increased stress" for many others.

As part of her role in the specialist support team, Mrs McCammon works with students with mental health and wellbeing concerns.

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"We've certainly been prepared with our counselling. We outsource counsellors through CatholicCare and work very closely with them," she said.

"I would say counselling is just one of our wellbeing initiatives. Schools have other things that they put in place such as pastoral care programs for students.

"During COVID-19 I've noticed they have had increased mufti days. One of our schools had a pajama day for wellbeing recently.

"Schools are just creative about what they come up with in terms of trying to support student wellbeing and dealing with the kinds of things students worry about."

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