Mindful Connections for Healing After Loss 2026

Mindful Connections for Healing After Loss is a 12-week, trauma-informed space for those grieving the loss of a loved one due to overdose.
About this Event

Mindful Connections for Healing after Loss (MC4HAL) – is Awaken Pittsburgh’s proprietary program, specifically designed to help you navigate the aftermath of a traumatic loss. Grief from a loss due to an overdose carries unique complexities; this program connects you with a community going through a similar experience so you can heal together.

We provide a safe, gentle container to build personal resilience, share understanding, and discover grounding mindfulness tools. Here, you can focus on your own healing alongside others, while finding ways to safely process your experience of grief.

In this program, you will find support to:

• Navigate the trauma of loss by learning gentle emotional regulation techniques.
• Break the silence of isolation within a deeply compassionate community.
• Practice deep self-compassion with difficult and complex feelings.
• Foster post-traumatic growth as you slowly rebuild a sense of inner strength.
• Build personal mindfulness practices that serve as a regular anchor for your healing.
• Honor your loved one's memory in a meaningful way.

A meal will be provided at each session.

Children, ages K-8, will engage in parallel programming , appropriate for their ages.

Childcare will be provided for potty trained children ages 3-5 (unless capacity is reached).

This program is made possible with funding from Allegheny County.

LOCATION: Community Forge, 1256 Franklin Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15221

TIMES/DATES: 5:30 - 8:00 PM, Tuesdays September 1 - November 17, 2026

APPLICATION PROCESS: The registration will invite some sharing about your current experience so that we can tailor the course to participant needs.

Limited spaces are available so we ask that participants commit to attending at least 10 of the 12 sessions, and to let us know if you register and are no longer able to participate.

PROGRAM DELIVERERS: This class will be lead by Helen Stickney, Erica Strasser, and others.

You can learn more about Awaken Pittsburgh instructors .

By registering for this event, you’ll also be added to The Ripple Effect, Awaken Pittsburgh’s newsletter, so we can keep you informed about upcoming events, resources, and community offerings. You may unsubscribe at any time.