Belfast SAFE Group
Extern’s SAFE Together project has been supporting individuals and families who have been bereaved by suicide across the Greater Shankill since 2006.
Our Services
Mental Health Support
3297
vital supported provided to individuals navigating their mental health journeys.
375
people supported through Extern’s Communities in Transition Projects, strengthening wellbeing and resilience in communities affected by the legacy of conflict.
2517
people across Greater Belfast given help with mental health through the Reach Out project
1500
mental health sessions delivered across the year.
Service Provider
Mal Byrne
Director of Mental Health and Addictions Services
Mal has worked in the homeless and addiction field since 1999 in Extern. In 2019, Mal became the Assistant Director in Extern overseeing all of their communities’ portfolio incorporating homeless hostels, criminal justice projects and 15 drug and alcohol services both in Northern Ireland and the Republic. In 2024, Mal was appointed as Extern's Director of Mental Health and Addictions Services
Service Provider
Kate Harrison
Programme Manager, Addiction Services
Kate is the Programme Manager for Extern's Drug & Alcohol programmes
Communities in Transition (CIT) Project
The Communities in Transition (CIT) Project aims to support eight geographic areas, where there has been a history of paramilitary activity and coercive control, to transition into communities where paramilitary activity no longer plays a role
Crisis Intervention Service
Extern Crisis Intervention is for people in the Greater Belfast area who have current and ongoing suicidal thoughts and behaviours and who have been assessed as moderate to high risk.
Family Support and Suicide Prevention
The Family Support and Suicide Prevention Response Project works across the Greater Shankill area supporting people after a loss to suicide.
Freedom Project
The Freedom Project is a 3-year project focused on trauma, substance recovery, and mental health, supported by PEACEPLUS and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB)
Reach Out
Reach Out by Extern provides support to individuals whose lives have been impacted by substance or alcohol misuse, suicide, self-harm or mental health issues in the Greater Belfast area.