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Abstract

Mental health issues are becoming increasingly common among students worldwide. Kenya has not been spared. Studies have shown that approximately 20% of school students are affected by diagnosable mental illnesses, with half of all mental issues developing by 14 years. It is further indicated that mental health problems are the leading cause of behavioral adjustment among adolescents in schools. A survey carried out in Kisii County in 2017 showed that 23% of the students had symptoms of depression. Studies have shown that depression is associated with violence among high school students. Despite this, little has been done to establish the influence of depression as a mental health issue on unrest. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of depression on unrest. The study was based on Strain theory by Robert Merton (1938). Descriptive and correlational research designs were adopted. Target population was 30,955 form two students. Yamane's formula was employed to determine the sample size of 395 students. A questionnaire was used to collect data.  A pilot study was carried out among 40 students using test- retest method of reliability. Reliability coefficient index of the instrument was determined at.83 while validity of the instrument was ascertained by experts. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings indicated that students in 101 schools (96.2%) had moderate cognitive aspect of depression which was significant at r=-.34, p=.00. Mood and motivation aspects of depression had a non-significant positive correlation with unrest (r=0.04,r=0.08).It was concluded that most schools had students with moderate cognitive aspect of depression. The study recommends that schools should raise awareness on mental health issues among students. This finding is useful to the school administrators and the Ministry of Education in shedding light on the importance of addressing students’ mental health.

Keywords: Depression, Mental Health, Unrest