Vermont Probate Judges Wellness Discussion

On November the 6, 2025 I was honored to spend an hour on line with all the probate judges from the State of Vermont. Thank you to Judge Jodi French for contacting me and asking that I share my thoughts with this incredible group of caring people!

We focused on discussing the unique challenges and stressors faced by judges in the judicial system, including the impact on mental health and the importance of maintaining judicial integrity while handling sensitive cases like adoptions, some of which resulted from the terminations of parental rights. The judges shared personal experiences and insights about the emotional toll of their work, emphasizing the need for self-care and support systems to manage the psychological effects of constant decision-making and exposure to traumatic cases. The discussion concluded with an exploration of ways to improve judicial well-being, including the potential for greater collaboration among judges and the importance of creating supportive environments that address mental health and stress in the judicial system.

Judicial Isolation and Role ChallengesThe judges discussed the issue of judicial isolation from previous social circles and the challenge of maintaining privacy while being a public figure. We discussed feeling gagged by decorum and the ethical code in the role as a judge after being active in the community, highlighting the shift from being able to express opinions freely to having to adhere to strict rules. We emphasized the increased disrespect and non-compliance with court orders in recent years, noting the judge's role as a community leader despite the constraints.

Judicial Mental Health Challenges

The judges discussed the impact of judicial work on mental health, explaining how constant decision-making and exposure to traumatic cases can lead to secondary trauma and empathetic fatigue. They shared personal experiences of how the job affected their personal relationships and professional interactions, highlighting the stress and subtle effects of the work on judges' well-being. The judge emphasized the importance of self-care and offered tools like mindfulness and yoga to help manage the emotional toll of judicial work.

Judicial Collaboration and Well-being

The judges discussed the importance of supporting colleagues and fostering a collaborative approach in the adoption process, emphasizing the value of connecting with judges who have previously handled cases. They highlighted the rewarding experience of witnessing positive outcomes in cases not originally assigned to them, such as a young woman gaining independence after overcoming significant challenges. Additionally, we addressed the Nauru Declaration and the international recognition of judicial well-being, including the adoption of an international judicial well-being day by the United Nations, and shared insights on the challenges and stigmatization faced by judges regarding mental health and stress.

Judicial Well-being and Mental Health

The meeting focused on judicial well-being and the importance of addressing mental health and stress in the judicial system. I shared my thoughts on the ethical implications of judicial integrity and well-being, emphasizing that it is the responsibility of both individual judges and judicial institutions to support judges' mental health. We discussed the impact of trauma and stress on judicial officers and highlighted the need for resilience and self-care. Some Judges shared their perspective as a probate judge, noting the positive aspects of her role and the importance of maintaining a balanced view despite encountering difficult cases. The group discussed the importance of creating supportive environments for judges and the need for open communication among judicial officers.

I am looking forward to deepening this conversation with other members of the bench both in Vermont and other states! #beencouraged #thriving #flourishingasaspiritualbeing #dothework #emotionalintelligence #beaware #increaseawareness #flourishing #humangrowth #discoveryourpotential #visionquest #connectwithyoursoul #developthemind #developtheheart #thrive #flourish #stateofmind #awareness #thrivingnotsurviving #beaware #mindfulliving #mindfullife #mindfulmoments #mindfulness #karma #fourdoorsofspeech #share #shareyourstory #authenticity #beauthentic  #ubuntu