RUGGED Mind and Body, a PHCPPros initiative, and Vanguard Sponsor Cintas have published a video highlighting the need for greater awareness for mental health and wellness in the trades.

Produced by Cintas, the video features interviews with PHCPPros Principals Cate Brown and Brad Burnside during the latest RUGGED Road Show event in Boston. Brown and Burnside discuss the essential role tradespeople play in society, what inspired PHCPPros to launch RUGGED Mind and Body, and how RUGGED aims to help the trades community with the challenges they’re facing today and in the future.

“We really wanted to bring these issues to light and normalize them,” says Brown. “[Tradespeople] are supposed to just ‘suck it up’ and ‘get the job done.’ But, then they go home and have to face their families and deal with [their personal issues] as well. Some of them might not have the tools to do that. So, a part of what we’re doing is providing tips to help manage [mental health and wellness] on a daily basis.”

“This industry is the greatest industry in the world,” Burnside continues. “It’s a great opportunity for young people to come in, make a great living, earn a lot of good money, and work their way up to hopefully owning their own contracting and wholesaling firms. But, we’ve got to make it a healthy, positive environment.”

Attendees of the RUGGED Road Show echo Brown and Burnside’s sentiments throughout the video as well.

“It’s amazing that so many of us don’t have balance,” said one attendee. “We’re off balance — probably working too much and not focusing on other things in our lives that are so important.”

Crucial in its mission to help tradespeople achieve a greater work-life balance, RUGGED would like to thank Cintas for the company’s continued support, as well as for producing and editing this new video.

“Cintas was our first Vanguard Sponsor,” Brown says. “Without Cintas, we could not have had the success that we have had.”

For inspirational stories about tradespeople, information on upcoming Road Show events, and advice and information on nutrition, mental health, physical health and more, subscribe to PHC News to receive a free quarterly print edition of RUGGED Mind and Body magazine. Those interested can also sign up for RUGGED’s monthly e-newsletter here.