The Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust collected 1740 signatures. Chairwoman Corinda Taylor, with Denise Kent, presented the petition to Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox on the steps of Parliament on Wednesday.
The group had heard "heartbreaking stories" while collecting the signatures.
"The petition respectfully requests the House of Representatives to conduct a nationwide inquiry into mental health services to determine if current services meet the demand and if future planning is adequate to meet future demand.
"Our high suicide rates are a direct reflection that services are not meeting the demand of New Zealanders.
"Services need to engage families in suicide prevention by overcoming confidentiality concerns, as that can potentially save a life," Mrs Taylor said.
In a statement, the Green Party said the petition showed that more people were joining the call for a national mental health inquiry.
