The Spooky Side of the Bench: Wellness Concerns for Judges

This presentation, titled “The Spooky Side of the Bench: Wellness Concerns for Judges”, is hosted by the Florida Judicial Wellness Program and presented by John Lesko, an addictions clinician who works specifically with legal professionals. The session focuses on how judges face unique and intense stressors, not only from managing their own lives but from constantly absorbing the trauma and struggles of others. The presentation highlights how these pressures can lead to burnout, mental health issues, and substance use risks, especially given personality traits common among judges (such as perfectionism, high responsibility, emotional control, and isolation). The program aims to help attendees recognize signs of stress and mental health strain in themselves and colleagues, and to learn effective coping strategies and treatment options to support long-term wellness.