Time for some "Girl Talk"

Moms and daughters ages 9 to 11 are invited to a free health and wellness talk this Thursday.

The Mercy Healthy System program, "Girl Talk," will focus on teaching girls how to grow up healthy, confident and strong. Adult female relatives or friends are invited as well. The event takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. at Mercy Woodstock Medical Center, 2000 Lake Ave. 

Mercy female health experts will discuss and take questions about improving body image, how every body changes, increasing self-esteem, proper skin care and the vital role of exercise and good nutrition during puberty, according to a press release.

Adults will learn issues that concern today's girls, how to help girls grow into confident young women and how to open the lines of communication, the press release states.

Mercy Healthy System speakers include Dr. Emily Shen, who practices Family Medicine in Crystal Lake; Rachel Frederickson, a certified physician assistant of Dermatology and Registered Dietitian Jenny Paul.

Registration is required as seating is limited. To register, call (888) 39-MERCY.