August is National Wellness Month, a time to prioritize mental, emotional, and physical well-being—especially for those working in high-impact roles across the justice system. Prosecutors, advocates, investigators, and support staff face unique stressors that can take a toll over time. That’s why the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (APA) is committed to supporting wellness in prosecution offices nationwide.

Here are five practical ways prosecution teams can pursue wellness—individually and together.

1. Normalize Breaks and Decompression

Encourage staff to take short breaks throughout the day. Whether it’s a walk around the block, a few minutes in a quiet decompression room, or a breathing exercise before court, these moments help reduce stress and improve focus.

🧘 Explore ideas in our guide:
Supporting Prosecutors and Advocates: Practical Wellness Tools
🔗 Read the guide

2. Make Wellness a Team Effort

Wellness isn’t just personal—it’s cultural. Offices can host wellness fairs, schedule therapy dog visits, or start meetings with short mindfulness activities. These shared experiences build morale and reinforce wellness as a priority.

📄 Visit the full Prosecutorial Wellness Toolkit for more ideas:
🔗 https://www.apainc.org/prosecutorial-wellness/

3. Encourage Movement

Physical activity is a proven stress reliever. Promote walking meetings, lunchtime yoga, or gym discounts. Even small changes—like standing desks or stretch breaks—can make a big difference.

4. Foster Peer Support

Create space for colleagues to check in with each other. Peer mentorship, informal chats, and open-door policies help build trust and reduce isolation. Leadership can model this by regularly engaging with staff and asking how they’re doing.

5. Keep Learning

Wellness is an evolving field. APA hosted a webinar on mental wellness in the justice system, offering insights on trauma, transitions, and compassion fatigue.

🎥 Watch the webinar:
Prosecutors Managing Vicarious Trauma and Compassion Fatigue
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv4XBNZY1s0

Wellness Is a Shared Responsibility

Every member of a prosecution team—whether in the courtroom or behind the scenes—deserves support. APA’s wellness resources are designed to help offices build healthier, more resilient environments where staff can thrive.

📲 Learn more and explore our full toolkit:
🔗 https://www.apainc.org/prosecutorial-wellness/