"Mental health services told us a little bit of how to help her but really there was no information or anywhere to go for help or other resources.
"There was no follow-up after that first attempt to see how she was doing. We were on our own.
"There needs to be more awareness around suicide and for people to feel it's okay to speak out and have help available to deal with it."
The laying of shoes, ranging from gumboots to high heels, was organised by YesWeCare.nz - a health coalition made up of community groups, NGOs and unions which represent mental health workers.
The group was travelling the country sharing the message and had also called for election pledges, including a commitment to set up an independent mental health inquiry with a commitment to then fund what the inquiry identified was needed, and to set a suicide reduction target.
Spokesperson Ruby Powell said all government parties apart from National and Act had committed to the two pledges to date, and in the meantime the campaign continued to stop in at communities to shine a light on a largely hidden issue.
"We need to break the silence and everyone needs to get on board to turn this around," said Ms Powell.
Jane Stevens from Ngaruawahia lost her son to suicide just over two years ago and had been a strong advocate ever since for the establishment of an independent inquiry.
"One of the reasons for being part of this for me is to honour my son and all those people who have lost someone.
"The people we are meeting share the same sense of helplessness and lack of support and want answers and commitment by the people in power to provide leadership and work with our communities to bring about change."
She said she and her family had been battling to affect change since her son died, in the hope it could prevent more deaths.
"The silence around what's happening is heartbreaking - we refuse to be silent or to feel any stigma or shame about the way our son died.
"The depth of the problem is such that we are only scratching the surface and it's not the experts on their own who can provide solutions - communities, whanau and suicide survivors need to be involved."
WHERE TO GET HELP:
If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.
Or if you need to talk to someone else:
- LIFELINE: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
- SUICIDE CRISIS HELPLINE: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
- YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633
- KIDSLINE: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
- WHATSUP: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
- DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
- SAMARITANS: 0800 726 666
- OUTLINE: 0800 688 5463 (confidential service for the LGBTQI+
community, their friends and families)
-RURAL SUPPORT TRUST: 0800 787 254