Colleen Prescott
Hi I’m Colleen. I’ve worked in ALCO for almost 18 years now. I’ve been on the CISM Peer Team for more than a decade. This job is both emotionally and physically taxing so staying healthy mentally has always been very important to me. I truly believe being silent about our struggles is what’s killing us so I’ve always been very open about my journey with depression and C-PTSD. We all need to lean on each other from time to time and that’s why I’m so proud we have such an amazing Peer Team. I’m also very proud of many of my coworkers because I’ve seen them step up when they’ve noticed someone is not doing well. We don’t have to be on a peer team to help one another, we just have to be on each other’s team and that’s what I love so much about ALCO.
little about me: I’ve been with my wife for 13 years. She was a paramedic in ALCO for many years but now works as a PA in an emergency room. We have 4 senior rescue dogs (we lost our oldest in January 2024). To nourish my soul I’ve been fostering dogs for nearly three decades. I love fostering senior dogs and dogs with terminal illnesses. They remind me to live in the present moment. I also love to travel and volunteer with dogs, cats, rescued farm animals and any other animal that’s in need of my help. I’ve been to many places but my favorite was the month I spent in Thailand volunteering with dogs rescued from the dog meat trade. While there I met a senior, blind, deaf dog that I fell in love with and adopted him shortly after returning home.
Whatever it is that nourishes your soul do it! Make your mental health a priority always. Reach out to someone if you need help and get that therapy if you’re struggling. Therapy has literally saved my life! A little advice about therapy: Finding a therapist is like trying on jeans - keep trying until you find one that fits. I had to try out two therapists before the third one fit and it was so worth it. If you need recommendations let me know! I have a list of therapists that can help.
Take care of each other but most importantly take care of you!