• A qualitative study in Kolkata highlighted the poor mental health among women living with HIV due to stigma and discrimination, compounded by other marginalized identities.

• Semi-structured interviews with 31 women and 16 key informants revealed mental health issues such as worry, sadness, hopelessness, and fear, with avoidance of biomedical labels to prevent additional stigmatization.

• The findings reported that women living with HIV in Kolkata, India, face intersectional stigma due to additional marginalized identities, impacting their mental and physical health.

• Stress from intersectional stigma leads to adverse physical health outcomes, such as

1. Medication non-adherence,

2. Fluctuating CD4 counts, and

3. Somatic symptoms like headaches and loss of appetite.

• Women's reluctance to disclose mental health concerns reflects a desire to avoid additional stigmatization, highlighting the need for integrated psychosocial and psychological interventions.

• Effective support for women living with HIV requires a combination of mental health screening, stigma reduction interventions, and referrals for specialized psychotherapeutic and pharmacological care, tailored to their lived experiences and cultural context.

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