Young Influencer Kubra Aykut's Death By Suicide: How Early Success Can Impact Mental Well-Being

Kubra Aykut, a 26-year-old Turkish influencer died by suicide on September 23. Known for her viral “Wedding without a Groom”, Aykut fell from the fifth floor of a luxury apartment building in Istanbul’s Sultanbeyli district. Authorities have discovered a suicide note alongside her dead body. They said that they’re gathering evidence and speaking to the ones close to Aykut in order to understand what led to this tragic incident. The suicide note read, “I jumped of my own free will. Because I don’t want to live anymore. Take good care of Fistik. I was good to everyone in my life, but I couldn’t be good to myself. Living as a good person gave me nothing. In this life, be selfish. That way, you will be happy. I’ve been struggling for days, but no one noticed. I’m leaving because I love myself and want to think about myself for once. I’m sorry. Kubra Aykut. How surprised are you now, right? My phone password: 145723.”Aykut became a social media sensation in 2023 after her video of marrying herself went viral. Fans have come together to pay condolences to the TikTok star over social media. Not just Kubra Aykut, there are several other young influencers who have died by suicide in the recent past. Recently in June 2024, an 18-year-old social media influencer from Kerala died by suicide after she was subjected to cyberbullying following her alleged breakup with her ex-boyfriend.Last year in November, a 16-year-old boy from Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh died by suicide after being subjected to hate comments on his transition Reels on Instagram. He was a social media influencer who primarily focused on makeup and beauty content. In April 2024, 29-year-old New York City-based influencer Eva Evans died by suicide. She was found in her apartment by a friend who had a key to her apartment.Here, take a look at how early success can impact your mental health.

Increased Pressure to Maintain SuccessEarly success can lead to increased expectations where followers and peers expect continued achievement. The pressure to meet these expectations can cause anxiety and stress as people feel the need to maintain their image. Comparison CultureSocial media fosters a culture of comparison where early achievers may feel the pressure to constantly outperform others. This comparison can diminish self-esteem and lead to impostor syndrome as individuals may feel they are not deserving of their success. Fear of FailureEarly success can create a fear of failure as individuals worry that their future accomplishments will not match their initial achievements. This fear is aggravated by the eyes on social media where failure becomes not only internal but also public. Loss of AuthenticityThe pressure to present a polished version on social media can lead to a loss of authenticity. Early achievers might curate their lives that fit to the perfect image, thereby, causing a disconnect from their true selves and increased mental strain. IsolationSocial media can also create a poor sense of connection wherein early achievers might be surrounded by admirers but lack genuine emotional support. The fear of being judged or misunderstood can lead to feelings of isolation which impacts their mental well-being despite external success.