The Coronavirus pandemic has delivered sudden change and uncertainty to everybody in the community, and introduced new challenges and anxieties into the already complex working lives of judicial officers. The purpose of this web-resource is to cut through the noise, and curate a careful selection of relevant and trusted resources for judicial officers and those working alongside them on the following topics:
- Coming out of isolation
- Staying in role
- Screen fatigue
- Anxiety and worry
- Grief
- Supporting your family
- Physical fitness
- Self-care, compassion and mindfulness
- Archived resources
We will continue to update and refresh these resources throughout the pandemic. Any articles that have been removed from this page may be accessed here.
- Victorian judicial officers have 24/7 access to free, confidential counselling and support through the Judicial Officers Assistance Program. Call 1300 326 941
- A range of materials and supports directed to maintaining wellbeing through the Coronavirus period are available to judicial officers and court staff through the Courts Services Victoria intranet.
- We would love to hear from you. To send us your thoughts, suggestions, experiences and questions relating to judicial wellbeing through the pandemic, please email the Judicial Wellbeing Team.
Coming out of isolation
Issues
- As Coronavirus restrictions begin to ease, it is relevant to examine the experiences of other countries to understand the changes to society post Coronavirus.
- Some people have chosen to reintegrate, enjoying all the activities they missed during lockdown, and others are taking a more cautious approach than they were prior to isolation
- The easing of restrictions has also created a misconception for some people that the public health risk has subsided, decreasing adherence to social distancing requirements, whereas others are fearing the ‘second wave’ of the virus
- Some are experiencing anticipation anxiety, particularly about what the future will hold as well as ongoing concerns about getting sick
Strategies
- Management of these anxieties is helped by taking control where we can, including maintaining social distancing and other hygiene practices.
- We can also acknowledge that some things that are beyond our control and consciously manage our self talk. Mindfulness practice can help to let go of what we cannot control and focus on the present
- Continuing positive self-care practices will help manage anxieties in returning to ‘normal’ post Coronavirus.
- What Life Looks Like on the Other Side of the Coronavirus – an article examining other countries’ response to eased restrictions and their experiences of returning to life after Coronavirus.
- We have to go back into the world again. Here are solutions for how to deal with that – an article discussing management of anxiety in the return from isolation following Coronavirus.
- Life Beyond Coronavirus: What will it take to end isolation? - a video panel discussion moderated by Professor Shitij Kapur from the University of Melbourne. The panellists include Professor Jodie McVernon, Professor Adrienne Stone, and Professor Simon Dennis. The focus of the discussion includes the COVIDSafe app, protection of civil liberties and the most recent coronavirus data.
Staying in role
Issues
- Role clarity is a well-established cornerstone of professional wellbeing, and a protective factor against occupational hazards such as vicarious trauma and burnout.
- Judicial role clarity, and thereby the sustainability of judicial work, has historically been supported by a range of rituals and structures, from the architecture of the courtroom to the conventions of court hearings. In lockdown, the task of judging continues in the absence of many of these rituals and structures.
- In addition, working more from home has entailed a blurring of the boundaries between work and personal lives, with many judicial officers having to bring troubling case materials and evidence into their homes.
- We are experiencing changing levels of productivity and 'crisis adaptation' throughout this pandemic.
Strategies
- The consistent advice from experts is to consciously establish a new work routine - one that builds in healthy habits, regular start and finish times, and daily connection with colleagues.
- To consciously connect with ‘role competence’ and your sense of professional efficacy, incorporate a simple daily ritual of writing down what you accomplished over the course of the day, or “I have…, I did…., I can…”
- A downturn in productivity may be managed by setting some small, achievable tasks and working towards more complex tasks.
- Focusing on small organisational tasks, responsible communication and physical care will also maximise productivity in challenging circumstances.
- How to save a Disastrous Day in your COVID-19 Quarantine - a short article discussing crisis adaptation and management of productivity during the Coronavirus pandemic.
- What is the shadow I am casting - 10 questions from Dr Peter Shaw, UK Leadership Coach who has worked extensively with leading judges in the UK and Australia, to ask yourself as you continue your role under these very changed circumstances.
- Get dressed and set goals - a short article from The Conversation on the routines not to break when working from home.
Screen fatigue
Issues
- Virtual communication requires the brain to be ‘hyper-focused’ on verbal cues, due to the loss of non-verbal cues.
- Silence in virtual communication also increases anxiety about the interaction.
- We also experience heightened pressure to 'perform' as we feel are being watched more than during face to face communication.
- The use of technology can also affect our eyes, described as ‘Computer Vision Syndrome’. This contributes to the feeling of fatigue associate with technology.
Strategies
- Computer Vision Syndrome can be managed with the ’20-20-20’ strategy, which suggests that for every 20 minutes of screen use, users should focus on a point 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- A sector with a longer history of managing screen fatigue is Air Traffic Control. The industry standards recommend that workers do not have a period of two hours without a break of at least 30 minutes. This can be extended on a pro-rata basis (15 mins for every hour worked) if the workload pressures demand it.
- Building transitions into virtual communication to facilitate regular breaks helps manage fatigue.
- The reason Zoom calls drain your energy - an article discussing the reasons why virtual communications increases fatigue and suggesting some strategies for management
- The Effects of Digitalization on Human Energy and Fatigue - an academic literature review on the most recent research around the impact of technology on fatigue.
- Computer Vision Syndrome – an outline of the causes, treatments, and strategies for management of computer vision syndrome.
- Regulation of Work Hours for Air Traffic Controllers - an example of measures taken by another sector for the management of screen fatigue.
Anxiety and worry
Issues
- Anxiety and worry are common experiences at the best of times, especially among high achieving, highly conscientious people.
- Ambiguity, unfamiliarity and unpredictability are well-known triggers of worry. They are also defining features of the Coronavirus pandemic.
- When anxiety intensifies or persists, it can interfere with our social and occupational functioning, and our capacity to problem solve.
Strategies
- The resources below are detailed guides prepared by psychologists for managing anxiety during the Coronavirus period, and each includes a range of evidence-based strategies.
- Behavioural strategies include organising a daily routine that involves a balance of activities that give you a sense of achievement, help you feel close and connected to others (albeit within restrictions), and provide some experience of pleasure.
- Cognitive strategies include focusing our energy on what is ‘real’ and within our control, and challenging worries that are ‘hypothetical’ or outside our sphere of influence.
- Other strategies include mindfulness, self-compassion, values-driven action (some additional resources on these practices are under Self-Care, Compassion and Mindfulness below).
- Living with worry and anxiety amidst global uncertainty - a guide for the identification and management of anxiety and worry during the Coronavirus pandemic.
- Face COVID - a short guide by best-selling author, Russ Harris, with practical strategies from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to cope with and respond to the Coronavirus pandemic.
- COVID-19 Mental Health Toolkit - Coping with anxiety, panic and worry - a ‘toolkit’ discussing the causes of stress, anxiety, worry, and panic, and strategies to manage these during the Coronavirus pandemic.
- 10 Ways to Ease Your Coronavirus Anxiety - an interview with a psychologist and author identifying strategies to ensure we remain calm and prepared for the future.
- K10 test - a self-test to assess your own levels of anxiety and distress
Grief
Issues
- Collectively, we are experiencing grief.
- This grief includes grieving loss of connection, mastery and professional efficacy, changes to the economy and our sense of ‘normal’.
- We are also experiencing anticipatory grief, fearing about the future impacts of coronavirus.
- Failing to recognise this grief has led to experiences of disenfranchised grief, which can enhance feelings of isolation for those experiencing it.
- It is important to recognise and name the grief we are feeling.
- Acceptance allows us to find control in the situation. This helps us to manage our grief.
- We shouldn’t ignore grief; however, we need to find a balance in our thinking.
Resources
- That Discomfort You're Feeling is Grief - a short interview with grief expert, David Kessler, identifying grief as the prevailing emotional force in our experience of the pandemic, and possible management strategies.
- Coronavirus: Recognising disenfranchised grief amid COVID-19 - discussing the importance of recognising grief and loss throughout the Coronavirus pandemic.
Supporting your family
Issues
- Talking to our children about Coronavirus is complex and can trigger anxiety in some children.
- The change to routine may be disruptive for children and create extra pressure for families.
- There may also be disruption to our children’s regular healthy routines, including sleep, healthy eating and screen time.
Strategies
- It is important for parents to start the conversation, rather than waiting for children to start the conversation.
- Using age-appropriate language, and choosing the right time and tone for the discussion will ensure the messages are understood.
- Encourage questions and an open discussion.
- It is important to try and create new routines, to minimise disruption to children’s healthy habits.
Resources
- From toddlers to teens - How to talk about the Coronavirus - from Beyond Blue, suggestions for parents about how to have a ‘helpful conversation’ with their children about Coronavirus
- Coronavirus - tips to help families manage physical distancing or self-isolation - a tip-sheet from providing strategies for supporting children to maintain healthy routines during self-isolation
- COVID-19, distancing & family wellbeing - strategies for maintaining and promoting family wellbeing during self-isolation and the coronavirus pandemic.
Physical fitness
Issues
- Judicial work has always been sedentary, but the Coronavirus restrictions have meant that many of us are sitting more and moving less than we would usually.
- Out usual routines and places of physical exercise may not be available to us, and incidental exercise is dramatically reduced.
- Meanwhile, we may find ourselves eating and drinking more, as other forms of entertainment, comfort and pleasure are limited.
Strategies
- The World Health Organisation recommends that over the course of a week, adults undertake 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise, or 75 minutes of high-intensity exercise, as well as 3-4 minutes of light movement or stretching every few hours.
- With gyms and classes all closed, exercise videos have filled the vacuum. Here we recommend two websites offering a library of free video classes for general exercise and yoga.
Resources
- Blender fitness - a broad selection of short, professional fitness classes and programs. This is a free resource and the classes are designed to be completed in the home without equipment
- Yoga with Adriene - a series of free, online yoga classes, varying in length and style, from beginners to advanced.
- Healthy at Home: Physical activity - advice from the World Health Organisation about the physical activity requirements for different ages.
Self-care, compassion and mindfulness
Issues
- The state of the world is rapidly changing due to Coronavirus and this rapid change can take a toll on our mental and physical health.
- We may be unable to be as productive and efficient under the changed working conditions as we were before
- It is important that we take practical steps to manage our mental health so we can reduce anxiety and stay connected and grounded.
Strategies
- Practical steps can include mindfulness practice, self-compassion and other meditation practices to cultivate acceptance and groundedness
Resources
- Self-Compassion meditation - a series of short, guided mediations for mindful self-compassion from, Chris Germer, a clinical psychologist and co-developer of the mindful self-compassion framework.
- Self-compassion test - a ‘self-test’ to provide insight into our own level of self-compassion.
- Smiling Mind app - the leading mindfulness meditation app in Australia.