Free Checklist Helps Anyone Support Veterans with PTSD

ORLANDO, FL — Entrepreneur and veteran mental health advocate Marty Brickey has launched a free resource called the Veteran Support Conversation Checklist to help everyday people support veterans dealing with PTSD, anxiety, and trauma. The checklist is a simple, practical guide designed to be completed in about 15 minutes, offering steps to recognize warning signs, start supportive conversations, and connect veterans with resources. Brickey, who has founded companies like Layne Morgan Media and Flyover Entertainment, now focuses on technology innovation for veteran support. He emphasizes that the checklist reflects his philosophy of solving real problems with simple solutions: “You don’t have to solve every problem today. You just have to take the first step.”

The resource addresses a critical need: according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 17 veterans die by suicide each day, and 11% to 20% of veterans from recent conflicts experience PTSD annually. Many veterans delay seeking treatment due to stigma. Brickey notes that family, friends, and coworkers are often the first to notice when something is wrong, but they may lack the tools to help. The checklist covers common signs of struggle, conversation starters, local and national resources, and a personal action plan. It also highlights mistakes to avoid, such as waiting for the veteran to ask for help or trying to solve every problem instead of listening. “Most of the time, simply showing up and listening is far more important,” Brickey says.

Brickey hopes the checklist encourages more people to reach out and make a difference. He calls on everyone to download the free guide, spend 15 minutes with it, and check in with at least one veteran, service member, or military family member this week. By sharing the resource, communities can create more informed, supportive conversations. For Brickey, this initiative is about leadership through asking better questions: “Sometimes asking one thoughtful question can change someone’s day—or even save a life.”