Psychological and ethical support of judges and employees of the judicial system: development of cooperation of the National Academy of Sciences with the Marsh Institute of Chaplaincy (USA)

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

As emphasized by the rector of the National School of Judges of Ukraine Mykola Onishchuk, in the conditions of military challenges, the Ukrainian judicial system functions under a significant load, and the issue of professional training of judges cannot be limited only to the transfer of knowledge and the development of legal competences. Equally important are ensuring psychological stability, ethical endurance and maintaining the internal balance of the judge.

Director, Marsh Chaplaincy Institute, Chaplain, United States Air Force Colonel (Ret), Dr Jim M. Browning presented the activities of the Institute, focusing on its experience in training chaplains and providing spiritual and moral support in conditions of crises and increased stress. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of comprehensive support for representatives of the judicial system and expressed the Institute's readiness to support Ukraine by providing expert assistance, participating in the development of educational programs, conducting trainings and seminars, as well as implementing joint initiatives in the field of spiritual, psychological and ethical support.

A key result 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 of Chaplaincy. The document establishes the intention of the parties to develop cooperation in the field of professional training, psychological and ethical support of judges and employees of the judicial system, in particular in the conditions of martial law.

The memorandum provides for the possibility of implementing joint educational programs and trainings, exchanging experience on the implementation of psychological support programs (in particular, on issues of PTSD and moral trauma), conducting 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 increasing the professional stability, well-being and ethical culture of representatives of the judiciary of Ukraine.

During the visit, the pastor and officer of the US Army Reserve, Dr James T. Spivey Jr held a lecture for staff of the National School of Judges of Ukraine on the topic «Moral trauma», during which he revealed the differences between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and moral trauma, as well as the impact of long-term stress and crisis situations on professional activity. The participants of the event got acquainted with modern approaches to overcoming the consequences of moral trauma, developing stress resistance and maintaining professional well-being.

Conceptual approaches to establishing a chaplaincy support programme in the judiciary, involving confidential spiritual and moral assistance, crisis response and strengthening institutional resilience, were also presented during the meeting.

The event was attended by the deputy head of the public formation «Chaplain Patrol» Andriy Didenko and the senior chaplain of Kyiv and Kyiv region Oleksandr Osadchiy.