Hon. Geoffrey A. Gaither
“The answer to every question is 'no' until and unless you ask.” - Author Unknown.
The Herd Strategies social media theme for May highlights what mental health awareness and self-care means to us and to “Friends of the Herd” both professionally and personally.
Our first highlighted Friday Feature of our #UMatter theme is the Honorable Geoffrey A. Gaither, who currently serves as the Presiding Judge of the Marion County Family Division courtroom. Judge Gaither’s jurisdiction includes juvenile delinquencies, child welfare issues, paternity, guardianships, and more.
Judge Gaither’s civic focal points are the crossroads for justice and mental health. With mental, racial, and economic unrest in the judicial system, civic leaders must be intentional when it comes to matters involving their mental health. He believes self-care is an essential ingredient for success, stating, “Taking care of oneself ensures an individual has the stamina to take care of those they must serve.” For Judge Gaither, this includes playing chess, reading, or listening to his musical favorites, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Jimi Hendrix, along with old-school R&B Funkadelic. You may even find him practicing taekwondo to stay disciplined and healthy.
Since taking the seat in family court, Judge Gaither has been instrumental in identifying community partners to provide support for the mental health issues our children and families are facing. Judge Gaither stated he feels “Mental health has not received the emphasis it deserves. We are getting there but have a long way to go.” He also believes the abundance of resource options available to Americans should be used to combat the mental health crisis we’re currently experiencing.
Additionally, Judge Gaither hopes that legislators can develop legislation and provide resources for professionals in the field. He believes in seeking professional help when you need it and encourages us all to push past what may seem like a stigma or struggle when seeking support. He understands that healing comes from asking for the help you need and getting answers to the pressing questions you may have.
Judge Gaither notes that help can sometimes come in the form of mentorship. He strives to support our youth and others by being the support system that helps champion individuals to become their best selves. We asked him who he felt his biggest mentor was, and he stated, “I could not identify just one mentor in my life that has helped me get to where I am today, as I would be doing a disservice to them all.”
Judge Gaither is passionate about helping others. As we finished our conversation with him, he left us with what he calls his central belief system, stating, “There are no ‘self-made men.’ We are all the sum total of the collective decisions made by somebody else.” Powerful words. You can connect with Judge Gaither and follow the work he does in our community Here.