How to Respond When a Colleague is in Crisis

A few years ago, a judge shared with me how shaken he felt after noticing an attorney in his courtroom who seemed confused, disoriented and possibly impaired. “I didn’t want to embarrass him,” the judge told me, “but I also knew I couldn’t ignore it.” That tension—between compassion and responsibility—is something every judge understands.

As members of the judiciary, you carry a dual responsibility. You must protect the integrity of proceedings while also recognizing that the lawyers, staff and colleagues you work with are human beings. And sometimes, those human beings are in crisis. Whether it’s an attorney who appears impaired, a court employee experiencing a breakdown, or even another judge confiding in you about their struggles, your preparedness can be the difference between decline and recovery.

Recognize warning signs

Most crises do not come out of nowhere. Often there are early warning signs. An attorney may begin missing deadlines, arriving unprepared or showing up late to hearings. You may notice sudden agitation, flatness or emotional outbursts. Sometimes the signs are more alarming—slurred speech, incoherence or expressions of hopelessness.

As judges, you are trained to observe carefully. That same skill applies here. Trust your instincts. If you sense something is wrong, it probably is.

Stay grounded

When a crisis does present itself, your presence matters more than your words. Remaining calm reassures the person in distress and everyone else watching. If the situation arises in open court, taking a recess or moving to chambers can protect the individual’s dignity. Approach them not with judgment, but with concern: “I’m worried about you” often goes farther than “What’s wrong with you?”

If safety is at risk—for example, if someone is suicidal, incoherent or clearly unable to function—action is necessary. Calling emergency services is not punishment; it is protection. And in less acute moments, offering a private conversation and a referral to OLAP can begin the process of recovery.

When a fellow judge might be struggling

It is one thing to intervene when you see an attorney or staff member in crisis. It can feel far more delicate when the person struggling is a fellow judge. The robe, after all, carries with it an expectation of authority, composure and self-sufficiency. But judges are not immune to depression, substance use or burnout.

If you notice a colleague withdrawing, missing obligations or behaving in ways that are uncharacteristic, consider reaching out directly. You might begin with something as simple as: “I’ve noticed you don’t seem yourself lately. How are you really doing?” These gentle check-ins open the door without accusation.

If a colleague confides that they are struggling, listen without judgment. Do not rush to solve their problems or minimize what they share. Instead, remind them they are not alone, and that confidential help is available through OLAP. Offering to make the call with them or walking alongside them in the first step can make an enormous difference.

And if you believe another judge is in immediate danger—for example, if they talk about suicide or appear unable to function safely—do not hesitate to call 911 or involve medical professionals. Protecting a life always outweighs fear of awkwardness or embarrassment.

Take action

Certain situations demand more than compassion; they require decisive intervention. If a lawyer tells you they are thinking about suicide, you should take it seriously and seek emergency help immediately. If an attorney appears impaired in court, halting proceedings and ensuring their safety afterward may be necessary. If a staff member experiences a panic attack or breakdown in chambers, guiding them to a quiet space, offering reassurance and arranging medical support can stabilize the moment.

You are not expected to diagnose, treat or provide therapy. Your role is to safeguard dignity and safety while connecting the individual to appropriate help.

Care for yourself

What is often overlooked is the toll these situations take on judges themselves. Witnessing a crisis or intervening with a colleague can leave you shaken, anxious or even doubting whether you handled it correctly. It is important to acknowledge your own reaction and care for yourself afterward.

That may mean debriefing with a trusted peer, talking to a counselor, or simply allowing yourself time to rest and recover. Judges often hold themselves to impossibly high standards of composure. But part of modeling wellness is admitting that such moments affect you too.

Build a culture of preparedness

Preparedness does not mean memorizing a manual of crisis response. It means cultivating awareness and being willing to act with compassion when the need arises. Judges can play a leadership role in creating a culture where impairment, depression, or substance use are not hidden in shame but addressed with dignity.

Encouraging training, inviting OLAP to present at judicial conferences, and speaking openly about the human side of legal work all help to normalize the idea that seeking help is a strength, not a weakness. When judges demonstrate compassion from the bench, it sets a tone that resonates across the profession.

Why your role is critical

The judicial role is often described as guardian of justice. But in moments of crisis, you are also guardians of people—the lawyers who argue before you, the staff who support you, and sometimes even your fellow judges. Your ability to stay calm, respond with dignity and connect others to help can save not only careers, but lives.

You do not need to be a mental health expert to make a difference. You simply need to be willing to notice, to care and to act. Someday, you may be the person who prevents tragedy, not with a ruling, but with compassion.

If you or a colleague in the legal profession is suicidal, call 911 or the suicide crisis hotline 988. For confidential support and resources, contact the Judicial Advisory Committee or the Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program at www.ohiolap.org or (800) 348-4343.