Program helps young girls voice their concerns

Washington and Lee University in Virginia recently announced that the Girl Talk program is helping female middle school students who have issue that concern their gender, according to the school's news site.

Officials told the news site that for meetings, mentors have a teacher's guide and each girl has a corresponding worksheet. The guides offer real-life examples of what may happen to middle school girl, like teen violence and depression. From there, the group discusses and relates the topic their own lives.

The group covers teen partying, pregnancy, underage drinking, healthy eating, body image and personal creativity.

The officials added that at the end of the meeting the girls are given a challenge, which may include sitting next to someone new at lunch. Those in the program are found to have better grades from the tutoring they receive.

"It gives the girls an opportunity to hear different voices on how to deal with issues and really broadens their horizons," Veronica Bateman, the guidance counselor at Maury River Middle School, told the news site.

Group therapy such as this is also offered at boarding schools for girls, which can provide specialized education for females.