I used to hide my panic disorder at work. Now I run a PR agency where no one has to.

Carly Martinetti prioritizes mental health and work-life balance at the PR firm she cofounded. Her leadership approach stems from past struggles with anxiety and agency work culture. Martinetti said that remote work helps staff balance their personal needs with their jobs. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Carly Martinetti, 35, who is based in Boston. She is cofounder of Notably, a fully remote boutique PR firm. The following has been edited for brevity and clarity . I used to have really bad panic disorder, to the point where I would have attacks multiple times a day. I don't even know how it was functioning, honestly. I was so ashamed. I felt like there was something wrong with me. At my prior agencies, I don't feel that I would have been penalized per se, had I said something. But I also wouldn't have been comfortable enough because there was no one setting that example for me. That has carved out who I want to be as a leader. Don't get me wrong, the work is very important. I want to do great work. I'm a type A; I need to do well, but I also want to be realistic that if you're struggling, that takes priority. You can't do your best work if you are not doing well mentally or physically. My work, at times, had suffered because I wasn't honest with myself about needing to take some time off when I really should have. It would have been vastly improved had I just said, "Carly, there's nothing wrong with you. You've got a problem. You're working on it. Take a day, God forbid." It gave me clarity about not wanting others to go through that. Churn 'em and burn 'em There needs to be an emphasis on work-life balance. I make a big point that I've had issues with anxiety disorders. I want you to be able to come to me if you're having a stressful situation. When you are working in a high-intensity industry like this one, you need to be on, but some days you're not. Setting that example is important to me - to be able to show that I'm not going to be mad if you need to take a mental health day, or step out for a little bit and lie down. I don't know if that attracts a certain type of person, but all the people who work with me are open about things they're going through in their lives. It's helpful because then I can set the tone for the day in my mind. I'll tell people, "Hey, I know you have this big thing coming up personally, take the day off." I'm not saying this to toot my own horn, but it does make a better agency environment, which is known for that churn-'em-and-burn-'em mentality. A better way When I was working at my last agency, before the pandemic, it was remote. That worked well for me. You can...

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