A total of 27 people took their own lives in Perth and Kinross in 2020, according to new figures.
The National Records of Scotland’s (NRS) annual statistics also shows the region is in the top third for suicide rates in Scotland.
The overall rate for the last five years is 16.5 deaths per 100,000 people - the ninth highest of all 32 council areas.
The number of Perthshire people who committed suicide increased from 25 in 2019 and 26 in 2018.
Over the last five years, neighbouring Dundee has had the highest rate of suicide while East Renfrewshire has had the lowest.
The Scotland-wide average is 14.1 per 100,000 people, which actually means numbers have decreased by three per cent from the year before.
NRS data shows there were 805 probable suicides in Scotland in 2020 - down from 833 in 2019.
Between June and September, however, there were 28 per cent more suicides than usual for those four months.
Alex McClintock of Andys Man Club Perth said: “The fact the number has not gone up by much during 2020 is a positive - people are reaching out for help.
“It will be interesting to see next year’s figures as there has been quite a few this year due to lockdown and COVID.
“It will be a while I think before we see the impact of that.
“I think everyone has been massively anxious coming back out from lockdown.
“People are struggling to get back to normal and are anxious to go out to public places like bars and shops.”
Alex said the increase in mental health and suicide prevention charities in the area can help make a positive impact to local people going forward.
“We work with people aged 18 plus and the more groups like this the better for people,” he added.
“And you look at what Lighthouse for Perth have done at the schools [set up outreach hubs for pupils].
“It addresses the issue at school level and it will make a big difference with pupils - it encourages them to talk about their issues.
“More and more of these groups are appearing and we need to work together.”
Executive director of Samaritans Scotland Rachel Cackett added: “Every one of these 805 Scotland deaths represents a life lost, with devastating consequences for families, friends and communities.
“We know that the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted all our lives, creating new challenges for mental health and exacerbating existing risk factors for suicide.
“Deaths by suicide in Scotland had been rising since 2017, and so today’s data is a small, but positive, step.
“However, one life lost to suicide is one too many, and these figures are a reminder of why suicide prevention must remain a priority as we emerge from the challenges of the pandemic.”
To contact Andys Man Club Perth go to www.facebook.com/andysmanclubperth
To contact Samaritans visit www.samaritans.org/branches
