The need for stress management in support of judges in South Africa

Abstract

The article presents a discussion of the stress encountered by the Judiciary. Judicial appointment symbolises a great achievement with in the legal fraternity. The status accorded to the Judges, the benefits offered are very much encouraging to put more determination to reach the ceiling of the legal environment as well. Who are the Judges? Judges are human beings who undergo the same phases and pressures encountered by any human being. Amongst the ranks of Judges we have parents, spouses who have children as well as siblings. In addition the Judges have a judicial role to play. Judges do not easily show off their everyday problems because they are perceived to be fixing other people's problems all the time. Consequently, they experience isolation as an institution as well as on a personal scale. Another factor is the circumstances surrounding the Institution of the Judiciary. Their lives are always under scrutinisation by the public and the press. Every society we has the helping professionals who attends to various difficulties encountered by the community. This extends to the workplace environment where there are programmes to assist employees with whatever issues that affect their wellness being the Employment Assistance Programme. However, this is not the circumstances with the South Africa Judges? Nonetheless, research has proved that they undergo the same trends encountered by everyone on a daily basis. Who helps the Judges? The Research highlights the need stressors experienced by the Judges as well as the need for the establishment of the Judicial Wellness Assistance Programme in South Africa, which is long overdue. Conclusions Reached The Judicial career is a life altering experience, and along with the many emotional and professional rewards, comes with a great deal of stress. The Judge and his or her family live in a showcase: their private life is less private; their problems are broadcasted within no

time. To add on, their alternatives to seek help are limited by this situation. Consequently, there is need for the establishments of Programmes that need to be developed that ensure that our Judges and their families can be taken of an effective, sensible and low-profile manner ( Gonzalez 2009:7).