The Shoe Project will kick off on Sunday in Aotea Square, Whangarei and Invercargill with 579 pairs of shoes each. Recycle Boutique manager Lisa Wright has lost four young family members to suicide as well as her partner's older brother. Project spokesman Simon Oosterman said they are campaigning for a suicide prevention target and an independent inquiry into the country's mental health crisis. The letter urged the Government to acknowledge there was a mental health crisis, provide support and do something about it. Budget 2017 has set aside an extra $224 million for mental health, including $124m for new approaches.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 25, 2017 08:15 UTC