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Stress and the Judiciary

Explore the impact of stress on lawyers and judiciary, including statistics, causes, and coping techniques. Discuss the concept of vicarious trauma and its effects on legal professionals. Learn how to recognize, manage, and prevent stress through self-awareness and healthy habits.

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Stress and the Judiciary

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  1. Stress and the Judiciary Stress - the bottom line

  2. What Is LawCare ? • CHARITY • HELPLINE: 0800 018 4299 Monday to Friday 9am – 7.30pm Saturday and Sunday 10am – 4pm

  3. What Is LawCare ? • VOLUNTEERS • EDUCATION • WEBSITE: www.lawcare.org.uk

  4. Why Do Lawyers Need LawCare? • 75% of LawCare calls relate to stress in the workplace. • 80% of lawyers consulting LawCare with an alcohol abuse problem blame their drinking on work related stress. LawCare Statistics

  5. Why Do Lawyers Need LawCare? • Calls from the Bar :- 66% relate to stress / depression 33% relate to alcohol abuse 1% relate to drugs. LawCare Statistics

  6. Some LawCare Figures • Those qualified longer tend to be more likely to have alcohol problems • Newly qualified lawyers complain of high levels of stress and are more likely to suffer from depression

  7. LawCare Cases Alcohol Stress/Depression

  8. Why Us ? • Perfectionist • Over conscientious • Driven • Competitive • Ambitious The Legal Personality

  9. Why Us ? • Unable to delegate • Highly aspirational • The A type personality The Legal Personality

  10. A + B Type Personalities

  11. Sources of Pressure Work Overload · Media / public scrutiny · Unrealistic deadlines + targets · Isolation · Long hours / travelling

  12. Sources of Pressure • Lack of support • Poor time management • Instant communication • Personal and Family Stress

  13. Resulting In • Low levels of job satisfaction • Low energy levels • Lack of commitment • Mistakes

  14. Resulting In • Lack of motivation • Depression • Increasing physical and psychological symptoms • Damaged work and personal relationships

  15. How Can This Affect The Judiciary ? “Vicarious Trauma” = Continued exposure to those actively suffering trauma can result in shifts in the personal perception and experience of life of the observer Lisa McCann and Dr Laurie Pearlman

  16. How Can This Affect The Judiciary ? “ Anybody who engages with trauma survivors or perpetrators …can be open to vicarious trauma, even Judges.” “Judges hear terrible things.” Lisa McCann and Dr Laurie Pearlman “Vicarious trauma is an occupational hazard” Donald C Murray Q.C ( Canada) + Johnette M Royer.

  17. How Can This Affect The Judiciary ? “Since when did lawyers ever learn how to deal with their own feelings.” Dr Laurie Pearlman, Traumatic Stress Institute, USA.

  18. Potential Results of Vicarious Trauma • Reduced tolerance to others • Difficulty in relating to others • Increased cynicism • Becoming overly judgemental of others

  19. Potential Results of Vicarious Trauma • Emotional numbing • Sleep problems • Depression • Addictive behaviour

  20. Vicarious Trauma • Paul Bernard & Karen Homolka - early retirement - mental breakdowns - Police Officers

  21. Admission or denial? • “As lawyers and judges we identify ourselves as problem solvers..But we also live lives dominated by high expectations and multiple demands”. • “We are often convinced that any admission of the stress our lives generate is a sign of weakness that will undermine everything we strive to be”. • “No one is immune and most of us cannot cope alone.” Chief Justice Christine Durham, Utah State Bench.

  22. Admission or denial? Repertoire of denial • Rationalising • Intellectualising • Minimising • Diverting • Comparing • Hostility

  23. Recognition and Management COPING TECHNIQUES. • Relaxation by exercise • Time Management The Pareto Principle = 80% of your results come from 20% of your work. • How to recognise your 20% : your prime time • procrastination / time wasting • high / low value tasks

  24. Recognition and Management Time Management techniques • prioritised lists • tough tasks first • delegate : the 3 Ds. • follow the “one touch” rule : no butterflies • only have necessary meetings, for as long as needed • LEARN TO SAY NO.

  25. Recognition and Management Self Management techniques • Self Discipline • Self Awareness • Right and Left Brain Functioning - the Corpus Colosum

  26. Recognition and Management Mental techniques • Keep things in perspective • Think positive • Take control of your life + plan / organise • Meditation / visualisation • Live in the now

  27. Ten Essential Tips to Manage Stress • Follow a healthy diet • Try to do some form of exercise for 30 minutes a day • Do something enjoyable each day • Use relaxation techniques • Develop family or community support

  28. Ten Essential Tips to Manage Stress • Be aware • Listen to what others are telling you • Notice what your body is telling you • Try and laugh at something every day

  29. Stress Prevention • The 6 R’s of Stress Prevention - Responsibility - Reflection - Relaxation - Relationships - Refuelling - Recreation

  30. Conclusion If you put a frog in cold water and slowly heat it eventually the frog will let itself be boiled to death.

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