Volunteers In Public Schools has partnered with Mitchell’s and Company, a barber and beauty salon in Baton Rouge, to provide free haircuts for boys as well as facilitate healthy conversations. Research demonstrates that males are reluctant to talk about issues that affect them, leading them to suffer from depression at a higher rate than other populations. Through Shop Talk, students have an opportunity to discuss subjects with the barbers. They will also be introduced to healthy snack options. Shop Talk is part of VIPS’ Partners In Education project that enlists community resources to fulfill student needs. Principals share that students, especially male students, suppress their feelings, and when eventually expressed, can take on the form of outbursts. VIPS hopes to demonstrate that appropriate expressions can reduce feelings of isolation and depression.