NEARLY one in 10 residents across Argyll and Bute live with a mental health condition, the census has found.

World Mental Health Day is being marked as part of the annual initiative to raise awareness of mental health issues and advocacy against stigma.

Of Argyll and Bute's total 85,970 people, 8,001 reported a long-term mental health condition in the 2022 census.

The population is down from 88,166 in 2011, but the number reporting mental health conditions has climbed significantly from 3,124.

In 2022, the largest group by far is those aged 50-64, numbering almost 2,300.

Women aged 50 and up account for more than 2,500 of the total, more than a thousand more than men in that age group, numbering 1,439.

Overall, women make up 60 per cent of those with mental health conditions.

The census found 275 children aged up to 15 reported living with such conditions.

And more than 900 aged 16 to 24 were also recognised by the statistics.

Over the summer, the Scottish Social Services Council reported that the number of hours spent on mental health officer duties was the highest since figures were reported in 2016.

Nationally, the census figures showed 617,100 people reported having a mental health issue in the 2022 survey – 11.3 per cent of the population.

Mental wellbeing minister Maree Todd said: “These findings show that people feel more able to come forward and talk about their mental health than they were in 2011, which I hope is a welcome sign that stigma is decreasing.

“They also demonstrate why it is important that the right help and support is available for all those in need.

"We have ensured access to counselling services in all secondary schools as well as trusted online advice.”