Wilderness Medicine Updates Ep. 28 - Laura McGladrey, Responder Alliance, and Stress Injury: How to Get Back to Green and Save Living While Saving Lives.
Nov 14, 2025
Laura McGladrey, founder of the Responder Alliance and a psychiatrist focused on stress injuries, dives deep into the often-overlooked issue of stress among first responders. She shares personal stories illustrating how stress injuries develop and emphasizes the importance of early detection. Laura discusses practical tools for resilience and the significance of team dynamics in maintaining mental health. Additionally, she highlights the need for organizational support and personal habits, advocating for a culture that prioritizes self-care and prevention.
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From Wilderness Medic To Responder Advocate
- Laura transitioned from emergency and wilderness medicine to psychiatric care after seeing responders suffer unseen stress injuries.
- Weekend patrol experiences showed her that military stress language wasn't reaching outdoor responder communities.
Stress Injury As Occupational Harm
- Stress injury is an occupational injury like a physical one and is the most common career-shortening harm for responders.
- Early detection with a common language prevents reaching severe, hard-to-reverse stages.
Monitor Changes From Your Baseline
- Watch for changes from baseline: decreased enthusiasm, short fuse, energy conservation, and social withdrawal.
- Act early on yellow signs to prevent progression to burnout (orange) or clinical disorders (red).