PHCPPros has announced the launch of PROS REPS Rugged Mind & Body. Established in September 2024, the new initiative intends to bring more awareness to mental health and wellness with the goal of improving the overall well-being of tradespeople.

PROS REPS Rugged Mind & Body will have a dedicated web page on www.phcppros.com. This “hub” will serve as a social support network and strive to do the following:

• Increase awareness of wellness and the unique obstacles faced by tradespeople, such as physical strain, mental stress and work-life balance challenges
• Share monthly self-care tips, healthy recipes, and activity recommendations crowdsourced from PROS REPS ambassadors and the PHCP community
• Build partnerships with companies that promote mental and physical health to provide free and discounted products and services to PROS REPS ambassadors and all tradespeople

“With PROS REPS — our rep agency specifically for influencers and brand ambassadors in the trades — our company has continued to develop more direct relationships with tradespeople out in the field this past year,” said PHCPPros Principal Cate Brown. “Through these relationships, we were inspired to formally establish a new mission statement to ‘represent ourselves as an advocate for the trades. ’We have always championed the trades through our digital and print publications, but PROS REPS Rugged Mind & Body will help us take this mission to the next level and create actionable change in our industry.”

The company also proudly welcomes Morris Group International (MGI) as the first sponsor of PROS REPS Rugged Mind & Body. The partnership could not be more fitting, as MGI is committed to serving communities with products that promote mental health and well-being.

“We think about what people need and manufacture innovative products that will meet that need,” said Donald E. Morris, CEO of MGI. “Our BestCare product line is an example of meeting the needs of our communities with products that promote safety and security.”

The Whitehall BestCare product line outfits healthcare environments with ligature-resistant restroom fixtures and accessories that prevent patients from engaging in self-harm. MGI’s goal is to provide a home-like, soothing environment for patients that will contribute to the healing process, while also considering factors such as patient safety and facility security.

“We are thrilled that MGI — a company with a proven track record of championing mental health and suicide prevention initiatives — is joining us on this mission,” said Brown. “Their support comes at a crucial time when we continue to see harrowing data regarding the well-being of our industry.”

Citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in June 2024 NBC News reported the construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates among all professions, with male construction workers 75% more likely to die by suicide than other men. It is estimated that 6,000 total construction workers died by suicide in 2022.

In order to continue the conversation and break the stigma regarding mental health in the trades, the PROS REPS Rugged Mind & Body hub will continue to grow throughout the next year.

MGI’s sponsorship will support PROS REPS Rugged Mind & Body as it builds this social support network.

Those interested in contributing or learning more about sponsorship opportunities can email Digital Strategy and Business Development Manager Nicole Meyer at nicole@phcppros.com.