Dr. Huffman is one of the three social workers here at Lake Forest High School. A nationwide spike in teen anxiety and depression means more students are visiting their social workers.

What age group is most common or mostly comes to see you? 

“By the time kids get to be seniors they usually drift away, but some seniors stick around. The freshman – juniors are most common. Most of the time the seniors talk about college and getting their mental health in check before they go off. We see a lot of freshmen because of their transition.” 

What is your favorite part of the job?

“Talking to kids. The core of the job is talking to kids and it is my favorite part.”

What is the hardest part of this job?

“People get mad at me, because I don’t want anyone to feel like I’m not making them happy or doing a good job for them. Sometimes I need to get kids help and they aren’t ready, but we know they aren’t safe. When I have to tell a student we need to do something and they aren’t feeling great about it, usually they are respectful and understanding. But it’s still hard for me to have to make a tough decision to get student help when they don’t feel ready but at the same time telling me they aren’t safe.” 

What made you decide to be a social worker, specifically in a school?

“My mother was a school social worker, so I knew It was a great job for moms since you get the summer off to be with your own kids, and I knew that I would make a livable income. I’ve always wanted to be a working mom. The reason why I chose high school is because I love teenagers. I think it is a very important time to intervene and help them. Teenagers are very interesting and vibrant- teenagers are like humans in technicolor. So strong and passionate. I think I struggled the most as a teenager and I didn’t have any help. I think maybe I was attracted to this age group because I want to help kids during the time that I needed it the most. It’s healing.”

What is it like working in a town like this?

“It’s challenging, there are a lot of good, nice people here, but it is a competitive community so not everyone is willing or used to being vulnerable emotionally, and they tend to hide flaws. It is hard to work against that trend and change it so kids don’t feel stigmatized against mental health and feel open to sharing their “weaknesses.” It’s a good challenge because the kids are great.”

How do you separate yourself from work when you go home?

“When I first started doing this, it was very hard to leave behind the worries of all my kids. Over time you get better at compartmentalizing and trusting your kids to do for themselves. Reality TV helps- I watch an hour when I get home and helps me relax and take me away from my work day. HGTV specifically.”

Has it been hard to not over invest yourself in some students’ lives?

“Yes it is hard not to care too much about some of the kids I worry about. Ultimately I have to trust that my kids can do it. That they can stand on their own two feet and succeed, and if I don’t maintain that hope that they can do it then they won’t believe they can do it. “

Has there ever been instances with parents that have disrupted your relationship with the student?

“Sure, sometimes there are parents that disagree with the reports I’m giving them about their kids. Sometimes I need to tell parents hard things that are hard to hear, and sometimes parents aren’t willing to go there emotionally and they would rather just stop social work.” 

What are some of your favorite activities outside of school?

“Hanging with my daughter, she is my favorite person – she is hilarious and adorable and I love hanging out with her. I adopted her five years ago from China and motherhood is everything I imagined it would be. I love to read- my favorite authors are Joan Didion and Salman Rushdie, they’re both amazing. I love to eat. My favorite food is french silk pie.”