The Nulkaba college beat Kurri High School in the final on Wednesday, arguing the affirmative on the topic ‘that mental health has changed since the introduction of digital technology.’

The winning team argued the points of mental health awareness through technology, increasing suicide rates since the dawn of digital technology, greater mental health support access through technology, and mental health conditions arising from web diagnoses.

“We’re more aware, more supported and better educated [about mental health] than ever before,” third speaker Alessandro Ganino said.

The opposing team raised the issues that mental health is different to mental illness, research reports listing mental health factors that do not mention digital technology and the unchanging views of mental health dating back to ancient civilisation.

Both teams had previously won heats against Cessnock and Mount View High Schools.

St Philip’s was awarded a cheque for $250 as the winning prize.

Adjudicator Judy Clark commended the teams for a great debate, which led to a close result.

Ms Clark said she while liked the rebuttals, and the facts were there, her points for improvement were around the debaters persuasiveness.