Akin to doctors in UK, Judges in India should also undergo mental health counselling, says HC Judge

Madras High Court Judge emphasizes mental health counseling for judges dealing with complex cases and societal challenges.

“Akin to surgeons undergoing counselling in United Kingdom, Judges should also undergo mental health counselling,” said Madras High Court Judge Justice N. Anand Venkatesh. 

Speaking at World Differently Abled Day – 2024 event organised by M.S. Chellamuthu Trust and Research Foundation, along with Round Table India, he said that it was judges who required mental health tests the most, as they were the one dealing with all the disputes occurring in uncomfortable circumstances.  

Justice Venkatesh reiterating his previous statement, noted: “All human beings, irrespective of their position and statute, would undergo some sort of mental health problems, which most of them would hesitate to acknowledge.” 

When neuroscience had attained a tremendous development, every intricacy of brain was being studied, he stated.  

“Judges who deal with cases involving minors, sexual assault victims, mentally unstable persons, among others, should possess a fundamental knowledge of the neuroscience to deal with humans more efficiently and humanly,” Justice Venkatesh added.  

As the growth of technology was slowly engulfing humans into its fold, the chances of humans getting affected of with mental health issues was also increasing, he said.  

“The current generation which is struggling to enjoy the real-world experience feels it is enough to experience the world through mobile phones and through gadgets,” Justice Venkatesh said.