Indian influencer and founder of Mish Cosmetics, Misha Agrawal, died by suicide on April 24, 2025, just two days before 25. The news was broken by her family in a statement on her Instagram page, where they expressed their grief and appreciation towards her fans.
Agrawal had more than 350,000 followers on Instagram and was known for her beauty and entrepreneurial content. She graduated in law with plans of becoming a judge, but found herself enamoured with social media, thus focusing on her online presence and launching her cosmetics brand.
As stated by her sister, Agrawal fell into a depression in April due to falling follower counts, which she associated with her self-worth and future career. A goal of hitting a million followers was set as the lock screen of her phone, indicating the pressure she felt to succeed online.
Agrawal was overwhelmed and eventually committed suicide, despite her family’s efforts to console her or shift her focus away from social media. Her sister emphasised that “Instagram is not the real world and followers are not real love”.
Following Agrawal’s death, discussions about the social media platform’s toll on mental health, especially among young influencers, went rife, suggesting that anxiety and depression, even leading to taking one’s own life, were some things that could happen by chasing the tail of online validation. Therefore, one must advocate for raising awareness and support regarding mental health in the digital age.
The brand founded by Agrawal, Mish Cosmetics, stated, “She built MishCosmetics.in and Mish Hair Oil with love, passion, and a dream to make a difference.” Agrawal’s family expressed gratitude to customers for their continued support and vowed to keep her spirit alive through their continued work in fulfilling orders.
Agrawal’s demise starkly highlights the kind of pressure social media influencers are subjected to, which also implicates the significance of mental health awareness. The family’s willingness to speak about her issues aims to inspire others toward seeking help and toward creating a kinder and more understanding community on the Internet.
Read More: How does social media materialism bring both stress and unhappiness?
Reach out to a mental health professional or a suicide prevention helpline if you or someone you know is going through mental health issues. The iCall service by TISS is also available at 022-25521111 from Monday to Saturday, from 8 AM to 10 PM.
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