Psychological and ethical support for judges and judicial staff: developing cooperation with the March Institute for Chaplains (USA)

On 24 April 2026, a meeting was held at the National School of Judges of Ukraine with representatives of the Marsh Institute for Chaplains (USA) to discuss the implementation of approaches to psychological and ethical support within the Ukrainian judicial system.

As emphasised by the Rector of the National School of Judges of Ukraine, Mykola Onishchuk, in the context of military challenges, the Ukrainian judicial system is operating under considerable strain, and the issue of professional training for judges cannot be limited solely to the transfer of knowledge and the development of legal competencies. Equally important is ensuring judges’ psychological resilience, ethical integrity and inner balance.

Dr Jim M. Browning, Director of the Marsh Institute for Chaplains, a chaplain and retired US Air Force colonel, presented the Institute’s work, focusing on its experience in training chaplains and providing spiritual and moral support in situations of crisis and high stress. In his speech, he emphasised the importance of comprehensive support for members of the judiciary and expressed the Institute’s readiness to support Ukraine by providing expert assistance, participating in the development of training programmes, conducting training sessions and seminars, and implementing joint initiatives in the field of spiritual, psychological and ethical support.

A key outcome of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation between the National School of Judges of Ukraine and the Marsh Institute for Chaplains. The document formalises the parties’ intention to develop cooperation in the field of professional training and psychological and ethical support for judges and judicial system staff, particularly under martial law.

The Memorandum provides for the possibility of implementing joint educational programmes and training courses, exchanging experience on the implementation of psychological support programmes (in particular on PTSD and moral trauma), holding scientific and practical events, as well as involving international experts in the training of judges.

The parties agreed to continue cooperation, in particular in the direction of developing pilot initiatives aimed at improving the professional stability, well-being and ethical culture of representatives of the judiciary of Ukraine.

The parties agreed to continue their cooperation, particularly in developing pilot initiatives aimed at enhancing the professional resilience, well-being and ethical culture of members of the Ukrainian judiciary.

As part of the visit, the pastor and US Army Reserve officer, Dr James T. Spivey Jr., gave a lecture to staff at the National School of Judges of Ukraine on the topic of ‘Moral Trauma’, during which he explained the differences between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and moral trauma, as well as the impact of prolonged stress and crisis situations on professional activity. Participants in the event were introduced to modern approaches to overcoming the effects of moral trauma, developing resilience to stress and supporting professional well-being.

During the meeting, conceptual approaches to creating a chaplaincy support programme within the judicial system were also presented, which provides for confidential spiritual and moral support, crisis response and the strengthening of institutional resilience.

The event was attended by Andrii Didenko, deputy head of the ‘Chaplain Patrol’ civil society organisation, and Oleksandr Osadchyi, senior chaplain for Kyiv and the Kyiv region.