Shoes a reminder of those lost

Tears were shed and stories shared as the Shoes For Suicide Prevention installation came to Palmerston North.

About 60 people turned up for the 6pm clock tower vigil in The Square on Sunday in time for a karakia in front of the glowing, yellow light wall.

Suicide prevention campaigner Katina Hughes said during the day a group of volunteers set out 606 pairs of donated shoes – one pair for each person who took their own life in the past 12 months.

‘‘Ten people approached us to help space the shoes out. Thanks to Simon [Oosterman] from the PSA’S Yes We Care campaign in Wellington bringing along extra pairs of shoes, [the installation] was completed by 3pm.’’

Those who turned up for the evening vigil also placed a row of candle bags – paper bags decorated with a message to someone they had lost and lit from inside by tea lights – that extended the entire length of the light wall.

The bags were weighted down with painted rocks prepared by the group Supporting Families in Mental Illness.

She said the full display made quite an impact.

‘‘You couldn’t help but see it from the Church St/fitzherbert Ave intersection.’’

Hughes said it was moving the way people interacted with the installation.

‘‘They were all really respectful of the shoes. People of all ages – young, old, mums with kids – stopped and took photographs and started conversations.

‘‘It became a real talking point. People really opened up. It seemed like everybody had a story.’’

One of those stories in particular was especially poignant for Hughes.

‘‘There was a pair of women’s shoes in the display that had a pair of booties attached. The shoes had belonged to someone who had lost her battle with post-natal depression. It was courageous of her family to share them.’’

She said talking about the pain

and loss with others who understood was a way that people affected by suicide could alleviate their grief.