The project officially launched in Whangarei yesterday, on the Canopy Bridge from 11am.
The final event will be at Parliament on September 10, International Suicide Prevention Day.
Northland maternal mental health worker Kristina Paterson has included five pairs of babies' booties in the collection to represent the number of infants affected by maternal suicide on average every year in New Zealand - "either during the pregnancy, in which case the baby dies too, or the mother dies very soon after the birth because of her mental health".
"There are 7.5 times the maternal deaths by suicide reported in New Zealand than in the UK," Ms Paterson said.
Between 2006 and 2015, 27 New Zealand women committed suicide either during pregnancy or within six weeks of it ending, with 15 of them being Maori.
The Maternal Care Action Group (MCAG) is calling for mental health screening of women during pregnancy and post-birth.
"We get screened for pre-eclampsia, diabetes, blood pressure, routinely at every visit, but not mental health," Ms Paterson said.
MCAG wants specific medical training to identify at-risk mothers, ongoing professional development for midwives and other maternal health professionals and funding for early intervention services such as free counselling.
Ms Paterson said 75 per cent of mothers suffering depression or anxiety do not meet existing criteria for free help.
Coalition and campaign co-ordinator Simon Oosterman said the shoes in the nationwide project will provide a striking visual reminder of the toll suicide has on communities.
"Suicide is preventable," he said.
"We need to talk more about how to identify people at risk and support them to get help."
Mr Oosterman said the number of people in life-threatening situations asking for help, and not getting it, is "deeply concerning and unacceptable".
"We need to ensure the government of the day adequately funds mental health services so it can provide the help Kiwis need, when they need it."
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)