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WHAT ARE SOME STRATEGIES INDIVIDUALS CAN USE TO COPE WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES CAUSED BY THE PANDEMIC

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The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a significant toll on people’s mental health globally. With lockdowns, isolation, job losses, grief due to loss of loved ones, and uncertainty about the future, it is understandable that many are struggling with increased stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. There are proactive steps one can take to better cope during this difficult time.

One of the most important things is to maintain a routine as much as possible. When our daily schedules and routines are disrupted, it can worsen feelings of unease, lack of control, and disorientation. Set a regular wakeup time and establish a daily schedule that provides structure to your days. Include time for work or study, physical activity, hobbies or recreational activities, and socializing online with others. Having a routine gives us a sense of normalcy and predictability which can improve mood.

It is also vital to practice stress management techniques. When we feel anxious or overwhelmed, our breathing often becomes shallow and rapid. Calming breathing exercises counteract the fight-or-flight stress response. Apps like Calm and Insight Timer provide guided breathing sessions. Mindfulness meditation trains us to live in the present moment non-judgmentally and can help reduce worry and rumination. Going for a walk outside while being mindful of surroundings can relieve stress and boost mood. Other stress relievers include relaxing activities such as listening to music, reading, praying/meditating, drawing, or cooking something enjoyable.

Getting sufficient quality sleep is another important factor impacting mental health during difficult times. Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Reduce screen time before bed, avoid large meals, caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime. Create a bedroom environment that is cool, dark and quiet. Some find relaxation techniques or calming bedtime routines help them fall asleep more easily. If insomnia persists, consult a medical professional as lack of sleep seriously impacts mood, concentration and stress levels.

During periods of isolation, it is crucial to maintain social connections through digital means. While not as engaging as face-to-face interaction, phone or video calls with family and friends combat loneliness. Join an online support group to share experiences and support others in similar situations. Consider reconnecting with old friends through messaging apps or virtual games. Community support is greatly healing during times of crisis.

Steer clear of constantly monitoring news and social media updates, especially close to bedtime. While it’s important to stay informed, continuous streaming of pandemic related information exacerbates anxiety and fear. Limit consumption of news to periodic fact-based updates from reliable sources like health agencies. Fill leisure time with uplifting content that provide mental respite such as comedies, inspirational films and programs, online courses, podcasts that inspire hope and growth.

During challenging times, take good care of your physical health as well. Maintaining a healthy, nutritious diet supports mental well-being. Limit overly sugary and processed foods. Aim for plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein foods which assist with mood regulation. Exercise reduces stress hormone cortisol and releases feel-good endorphins. Try to be physically active for at least 30 minutes daily through home workouts, dancing, yoga or outdoor activities when possible.

Practice self-care by engaging in relaxing hobbies and activities you find meaning in. Spend time in creative pursuits like painting, playing music, writing poetry or journaling to boost emotional wellness. Do small acts of kindness by helping others through online volunteering. Establishing care routines such as skin care, hair care, relaxing baths uplift spirits. Give yourself permission to feel sad or anxious sometimes too. Be kind and patient with yourself as you would care for a good friend struggling with distress.

If stress levels persist or worsen considerably for several weeks, don’t hesitate to seek help. Many therapists provide telehealth services during this time. Primary care doctors can also screen for mental health issues and make appropriate referrals if necessary. Some mobile apps offer cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to help with issues like anxiety, depression and insomnia. Support groups and helplines are comforting outlets during isolation. Reach out to clergy, trusted others or emergency services if experiencing thoughts of suicide or harming oneself or others. With patience and perseverance, these difficult times can be better managed.

Adopting positive coping strategies is vital for mental wellness during times of crisis, distress and isolation like the current pandemic. Maintaining routines, practicing relaxation techniques, getting quality sleep, staying socially connected, limiting distressing news and caring for physical health are all effective evidence-based ways to support mental health. Know that you don’t have to cope alone – seek help if needed. With resilience and compassion for oneself and others, there is light ahead even in our darkest hours. We will get through this together by focusing on things we can control and cultivating inner strength and hope for the future.

HOW CAN GOVERNMENTS SUPPORT WORKFORCE TRANSITIONS AND MITIGATE JOB LOSSES CAUSED BY THE RISE OF AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES

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The rise of autonomous vehicles and other emerging technologies has the potential to significantly disrupt many existing occupations and jobs. Millions of people worldwide whose current jobs involve driving vehicles, such as commercial truck drivers, taxi drivers, ride-hailing drivers and delivery drivers, may lose their jobs as autonomous vehicles replace human drivers. To help mitigate the negative impacts of these transitions and smooth the process of workforce retraining, governments will need to implement supportive policies and programs.

One of the most important things governments can do is provide adequate unemployment benefits and safety net programs for those who lose their jobs due to technological changes. As autonomous vehicles start putting some drivers out of work, unemployment insurance can help support people financially as they search for new jobs or retrain for different careers. Governments may need to make adjustments to eligibility rules and benefit amounts to ensure coverage is sufficient for job losses on a large scale caused by widespread technological transformations, rather than more temporary or localized layoffs. Expanding access to programs that assist with needs like healthcare, food assistance, housing assistance and job training can also help smooth the transition for displaced workers.

Targeted worker retraining programs will be crucial to help transition displaced workers into new occupations and sectors not susceptible to automation. Governments should work to identify new and emerging job types and skill sets that will still require human workers even after autonomous vehicle adoption increases. Then they can design and fund educational programs, apprenticeships, vocational training courses and certifications to teach displaced drivers and others the skills needed for these in-demand jobs of the future. Some potential new career paths that autonomous vehicle drivers could retrain for include jobs in software engineering, robotics, cybersecurity, mechatronics, IoT and data analysis roles related to autonomous systems.

To promote uptake of retraining programs and reskilling opportunities by impacted workers, governments can offer financial incentives like grants or subsidized tuition for approved courses of study. Other supports like childcare or transportation assistance during the period of retraining can further reduce barriers to participation. Apprenticeship or on-the-job training models that still provide income and experience while learning new skills can also help ease financial burdens during workforce transitions. Collaboration between governments, educational institutions and employers will be important to design demand-driven training programs aligned with labor market needs.

Direct job placement assistance may also help workers transition more smoothly. Governments can work with employers, staffing agencies, unions and trade groups to facilitate job fairs and recruiting events matching displaced drivers and others with new employers in growing industries. They can also promote apprenticeship and “earn while you learn” models directly with companies expanding in relevant emerging fields. Subsidies or tax incentives for employers who hire reskilled workers from impact professions could encourage more job opportunities. Maintained registries of transitioning workers and their recent training/certifications can further streamline placement efforts.

In some cases, governments may decide to support employment transitions through publicly-funded job creation as well. For example, some displaced commercial vehicle drivers could potentially be retrained and hired to operate autonomous government vehicles in applications like public transit systems early on. Public works projects focused on expanding broadband access, green infrastructure development or caregiving roles could also help generate interim employment for transitioning workers. Such strategies aim to sustain livelihoods and labor force participation during disruption until workers fully reskill into sustainable long-term careers.

Governments may wish to consider targeted income support or wage subsidies during workforce transitions caused by technological disruption. For example, income guarantees for displaced drivers who enroll in retraining could smooth financial hardships as they develop new skills. Subsidies to employers hiring transitioning workers that slowly phase out overtime can promote placement while allowing workers breathing room to ramp productivity in a new field. Coordinating such programs regionally, at the community level, can keep locally-focused support tailored to specific impacts on regions reliant on at-risk occupations.

No single policy approach will fully mitigate job disruption from autonomous vehicles or other emerging technologies. But governments that implement thoughtful, integrated strategies incorporating adequate support networks, robust retraining opportunities, job placement assistance and potentially targeted income supports can significantly soften negative workforce transitions and maximize opportunities for new employment and career development. Proactive, collaborative efforts across education, labor, employment and economic development agencies will be vital to promote smooth and equitable disruption management that leaves communities and countries well-positioned to thrive in the industries of the future.