“I’ve lost friends, family and many others to addiction and suicide. Those experiences stay with you, and they’re a huge part of why I do what I do.”
Aidan Malone has dedicated his life to improving mental health and supporting people affected by addiction
This Aidan Malone, who has dedicated his life to improving mental health and supporting people affected by addiction.
The West Belfast man is founder of Divis Mountain Men and White Wolf Wellness. The Divis Mountain Men meet every Tuesday evening at 7pm in the lower car-park at Divis Mountain. As well as the physical health benefits of walking, the idea behind the group last month was to get men to open up to each other about their mental health and struggles.
A Queen’s University Belfast graduate, Aidan has spent much of his professional life supporting vulnerable people, including young adults aged 18 to 30 living under threat from paramilitary organisations.
He also has extensive professional and personal experience of neurodiversity and disability, with particular knowledge of ADHD and autism. Diagnosed with ADHD at an early age, Aidan understands the challenges faced by people whose needs are often misunderstood or overlooked.
A former young carer who later struggled with a gambling addiction, he draws on his own experiences of adversity and recovery to help others.
Aidan told Belfast Live: “I was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 5 and always felt different. I had a lot going on at home. I was a carer for my brother who was autistic and non-verbal. My dad was an alcoholic while my mum struggled to cope with all that, so it was a challenging, upbringing for me.
“Then at 15, I was out drinking in the streets, partying and taking drugs – all that sort of stuff and that was kind of instilled in me as a way to cope.”
But Aidan, 32, says gambling became a big issue when he went to university: “Five years ago, I went and got help for that because I saw it was making me a monster.
“I was just obsessed with it and putting it before anything else. It was just occupying so much of my time, so I went and got help for that, and then I addressed all those other things bit by bit as well, and just built a better life for myself.
“I was on diazepam for 11 years, and then I went completely medication-free, and now I’m able to keep myself calm, grounded and centred using breathwork and talking therapy that I teach other people now.”
Aidan is founder of Divis Mountain Men and White Wolf Wellness
He added: “I’ve lost my father to addiction, and I’ve lost friends, family members and many others to suicide. Those experiences stay with you, and they’re a huge part of why I do what I do.
“I know what it’s like to struggle, and I know how difficult it can be to ask for help. My mission is to save more lives and equip individuals, employers and community groups with the skills to recognise when someone needs support.”
Through Divis Mountain Men which he formed in May 2025, Aidan has established a welcoming, cross-community group whose weekly walks regularly attract between 20 and 50 men.
The group brings together Catholics and Protestants, former servicemen, men from different sexual orientations and those with or without experience of addiction. It also welcomes neurodivergent men and people living with disabilities, creating a supportive environment where differences are respected and nobody is judged.
“When the boys arrive at the bottom of the car park, I take them halfway up, and I put them through a breath work journey and some mindfulness. It really clears their head and relaxes them, and I teach them how to do it for themselves so that they can keep themselves calm,” Aidan explained.
His work continues through White Wolf Wellness, where he delivers breathwork, coaching and wellbeing programmes. Drawing on his experience of ADHD, autism and disability, Aidan works with individuals, schools, employers and community organisations to make mental health support more accessible and inclusive.
Aidan was named Inspiring Individual at the 2026 Mental Health & Wellbeing Ireland Awards
Aidan has just been rewarded for his work in the community having been named Inspiring Individual at the 2026 Mental Health & Wellbeing Ireland Awards, held at the Stormont Hotel in Belfast last Friday.
The awards, founded by mental health advocate Dawn Evans, recognise individuals and organisations making an exceptional contribution to mental health awareness and wellbeing across Ireland.
The Inspiring Individual award recognises Aidan’s personal recovery, professional dedication and determination to make mental health support accessible to everyone.
Aidan said: “It’s lovely to receive this recognition, but the real reward is seeing someone turn up to a walk, make a connection and realise they don’t have to face everything alone.”
Aidan hopes the award will draw greater attention to his work as he develops plans to establish a dedicated suicide prevention and drop-in centre in West Belfast.
He wants to create a welcoming space where men of every background, including those living with neurodivergence, disability or addiction, can find support before reaching crisis point.
“This award means a great deal, but I want to use it to shine a light on what we’re trying to achieve. There are men out there who desperately need somewhere to turn, and my ambition is to create that place by opening a men’s suicide prevention centre,” he added.
“I also have an event coming up for all genders in Belfast Castle at the end of November for everyone to experience breathwork and boost their mental health while watching a beautiful sunrise. Full details are available here.”
Anyone who needs to talk to someone about mental health issues can call the Samaritans on 116123 or Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.
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