Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) is launching three new wellness and stress reduction groups for older adults this fall.

The groups are free, and feature a mix of techniques to help people reduce stress and improve mood, explained SCES social worker Cassie Cramer.

“These groups are designed to give people tools to make changes and feel better,” said Cramer.

Expressive Art for Healing Explore the healing power of the creative arts. Participants will use collage, paint, drawing, writing and sound for self-expression, self-discovery and connection. Focus is on the process, not the product- no experience or “talent” needed.

The Expressive Art for Healing group will meet from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at the Somerville Council on Aging, 167 Holland St., on October 23 and 30, November 13 and 27, and December 4. Attendant for all meetings is encouraged but not required. For more information, call 617-628-2601×3089 or email ccramer@eldercare.org.

Mind Body Connection This group will teach meditation practices to reduce stress and feel better. Anyone can benefit from meditation, including people who would like to learn how to manage pain, reduce tension, or decrease negative thoughts.

The Mind Body Connection group will meet Thursdays from 1:30-2:30 at the Somerville Council on Aging, starting October 11. For more information about this group, call Natasha Naim at 617-625 6600.

Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) WRAP helps participants develop tools and action plans to make positive changes in the way they feel and react to life. This program can help decrease or prevent unwanted feelings and behaviors, and increase choices of how participants live their lives.

This eight-session group will meet Wednesdays from 1:15 – 2:15 p.m. at the Cambridge Citywide Senior Center, 806 Mass. Ave., from October 17 to December 12. For more information about this program, email Mcolonas@eldercare.org.

The community groups are part of the Elder Mental Health Outreach Team (EMHOT) project, which is providing new resources to support and assist older adults facing behavioral health challenges.

For more information about EMHOT, contact the SCES Aging Information Center at 617-628-2601.

Funding for the EMHOT project was provided in part by the Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging, under a Service Incentive Grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Any opinions expressed in this piece are solely the opinion of SCES, a non-profit agency that supports the independence and well-being of older people in Somerville and Cambridge.