The Public Health Agency (PHA) has partnered with Steering Positive Minds to promote mental health support and crisis intervention within the rallying community.

The initiative involves featuring the Lifeline helpline number on a driver's car throughout the current rally season.

The Lifeline 24/7 crisis intervention helpline's logo and phone number, 0808 808 8000, will be prominently displayed on the back of reigning Northern Ireland junior driver champion Ben McFall's car for the duration of the 2025 Irish rally championships.

The partnership was officially launched at the Circuit of Ireland Rally on Friday (18 April) and has already been visible at the Tour of the Sperrins Rally.

Fiona Teague, Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Lead at the PHA, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration. "This innovative partnership will see Lifeline promoted to a wide audience of drivers, support teams, family, friends and motorsport fans throughout the rally calendar season. We are delighted to have the opportunity to promote this important service over the coming months at these events." She emphasised the crucial role of Lifeline, stating, "Lifeline is Northern Ireland’s crisis response helpline for people experiencing distress or despair. Calls to the helpline are free, It’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. Lifeline also offers support for people who are worried about someone else."

Ms. Teague thanked Ben McFall and Steering Positive Minds for their support. "The partnership with Steering Positive Minds has provided a wonderful opportunity to highlight this vital service. A huge thanks to Ben McFall for handing over the design space on his car for an important public health issue.”

At the launch event, Ben McFall's car was unveiled featuring the Lifeline logo alongside those of mental health charities Mental Health Ireland and Papyrus. Lifeline staff also hosted an information and advice stall as part of Talk Shop Mind, a mental health and wellbeing hub for rally attendees, which reportedly welcomed over 200 visitors.

AnnMarie McFall, Volunteer Director of Steering Positive Minds CIC, highlighted the significance of the partnership. “We are delighted to have partnered with Lifeline, Mental Health Ireland and Papyrus to help raise awareness of mental health issues and the intervention and support network that exist right across this island. The car will be raced at multiple venues across Ireland right through to November so there is plenty of opportunity for people to see the wonderful display on the vehicle. The racing is important but being able to collaborate with organisations to raise awareness of crisis support for mental health and suicide prevention has been a wonderful opportunity. It’s a credit to the team of volunteers from Steering Positive Minds to see this come to life.”