Worrying new national figures have revealed the number of suspected suicides in Perth and Kinross has reached the highest rate since records began – nearly 50 years ago.

National Records of Scotland (NRS) statistics show 35 probable suicides were recorded in the region in 2022, which is the most over 12 months since 1974.

Perth and Kinross is the sixth highest council area for the rate of suicide mortality in Scotland, and is far higher than the national average.

The number of female probable suicides doubled from five in 2021 to 11 in 2022, and is the highest in almost three decades since 14 died in 1993.

Male suspected suicides increased from 19 in 2021 to 24 in 2022, a 15-year high after 26 died in 2007.

Concerns for the wellbeing of women carried into NHS health board statistics.

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