Today, July 25th, marks an extraordinary milestone in the world of justice and mental health: Judicial Wellbeing Day. Officially recognized by the United Nations, this day is dedicated to acknowledging and supporting the psychological and emotional well-being of judicial officers across the globe. Here in Kenya, the Chief Justice has directed that all courts take time to mark this important day—a decision that has been met with heartfelt appreciation and long-overdue recognition.
As a Judicial Officer and Psychologist, I must admit: I am elated. I can confidently say: This day matters.
It is not merely symbolic. It is a public and institutional affirmation that the people who uphold justice must also be cared for—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
A Glimpse Into a Day in the Life of a Judicial Officer
For many outside the system, the day-to-day realities of judicial life are often misunderstood. Allow me to paint a picture:
- 🕑 Wake up by 5:00 am (to beat traffic, attend to family responsibilities, or prepare for the day)
- 🍽️ Skip breakfast more often than not—”I’ll grab tea in court if time allows.”
- 📂 Dive into paperwork: pending rulings, judgments, and administrative issues if you’re in leadership
- ⚖️ Be in court by 9:00 am sharp—Court starts. Litigants, lawyers, children, police officers, everyone waits.
- 📋 For some divisions (e.g., Milimani Children’s Court, Commercial, or Small Claims), the cause list has up to 100 matters daily
- 💬 “Good morning Yorona” … “Thank you Yorona” … repeated dozens of times
- 🧠 Maybe a tea break around 11am, maybe not
- ⏳ Continue with hearings, cross-examinations, and final mentions till late afternoon
- 📚 By 5pm? Pack up your laptop, files, and prepare to write judgments at home
- 🚗 Sit in traffic
- 🏠 Arrive home—support children with homework, eat, deal with family dynamics
- 🛌 Sleep (if lucky)
- ⟳ Wake. Rinse. Repeat.
And amidst this whirlwind are the invisible weights: grief, chronic illness, caregiving burdens, financial stress, loneliness, heartbreak, and everything else life throws our way.
So when an Advocate recently tweeted, “Judicial officers should smile and greet us in the morning,” I chuckled and wondered, where exactly do we schedule that in?
Why Judicial Wellbeing Day Matters
In 2023, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Association of Judges began emphasizing the mental health needs of judicial officers, particularly due to post-pandemic realities and the increased complexity of legal disputes worldwide.
The recognition of Judicial Wellbeing Day is rooted in the understanding that:
“An independent and impartial judiciary cannot thrive if the human beings behind it are breaking down.”
— UNODC Judicial Integrity Report, 2023
Beyond the symbolism, this day brings necessary focus to the often-ignored mental health needs of Judicial Officers. Beneath the robes and legal reasoning are individuals carrying heavy psychological burdens:
- ⚕️ Vicarious trauma: from repeatedly hearing distressing testimonies, particularly in cases involving children, gender-based violence, or criminal matters
- ⚠️ Decision fatigue: every judgment carries weight, often impacting lives in irreversible ways
- 🛋️ Isolation and moral injury: the expectation of absolute neutrality leaves little room for emotional support, even among colleagues
- ⚖️ Burnout: chronic stress masked as “duty” and relentless pressure to be infallible
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), legal and justice professionals are at high risk for occupational stress-related disorders, including anxiety, depression, and compassion fatigue. Studies in the U.S., UK, and Australia have shown that judges face disproportionately high rates of burnout, yet often receive little to no support in this area.
As Dr. Judith Herman, trauma expert and author of Trauma and Recovery, writes:
“Those who bear witness to trauma are not immune to its effects. Unacknowledged trauma only festers in silence.”
This is echoed by judicial psychologist Dr. Grant Riethmuller, who advocates for trauma-informed judicial spaces and says:
“A mentally resilient Judiciary is not a luxury—it is a necessity for justice to be fair, consistent, and humane.”
What the United Nations Envisions
The UN’s recognition of Judicial Wellbeing Day is anchored in its broader agenda on Justice for All and Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). Mental health is now understood to be a pillar of effective governance and fair legal outcomes. The day aims to:
- Promote mental health support structures within courts
- Encourage open dialogue around the psychological impact of judicial work
- Support national policies that prioritize wellbeing in legal professions
How Courts Are Marking This Day Globally
Courts across different regions are beginning to take meaningful steps:
- Workshops and Mental Health Seminars on resilience and trauma-informed decision-making
- Quiet Reflection Moments during court sessions
- Peer Support Circles among judicial staff
- On-site Counselling Services in some progressive jurisdictions
In Kenya, the Chief Justice’s directive to mark this day is a turning point. It shows leadership, foresight, and an understanding that justice cannot be dispensed sustainably if the dispensers are depleted.
What We Can Do Moving Forward
Judicial Wellbeing Day should not be a one-off. To sustain this movement:
- 📚 Institutionalize mandatory mental health check-ins for Judicial Officers
- 🏢 Embed in-house psychological support in all court stations
- ♻️ Develop peer mentorship and coaching programs to counter isolation
- ✉️ Encourage open conversations about stress, fear, and burnout in judicial settings
- 🏠 Create spaces for rest, reflection, and regulation within court environments
Final Word: Even Justice Needs Rest
Today is not just symbolic; it’s a milestone. It is a reminder that behind every ruling is a human being: tired, stretched, but still committed to service.
As someone who wears both the robes of a magistrate and the lens of a mental health practitioner, I offer this gentle reminder:
- You cannot pour from an empty cup.
- Compassion without boundaries leads to collapse.
- Even justice must pause to breathe.
Let July 25th be the start of a more humane, supportive, and mentally resilient justice system.
