3. SELF- HELP GROUP
In society several problems related to illiteracy, lack of skills, financial hardship, and false stigma related to diseases are present which need collective efforts. In this regard, self-help groups are an emerging social resource for improving healthcare facilities. Existing self-help groups can be included in the health system for awakening the community about SCD. They provide social and emotional support, decreases the feeling of isolation, provide practical knowledge to patient and families for better understanding of the disease. Self-help groups may overcome the discrimination associated with disease disability and enhance communication among the members of a family, professionals, nurses and counselors who deal with related problems. SCD affected family members can become a part of self –help groups as these groups are engaged in diverse set of activities including health care, education, microcredit, campaigning, and rehabilitation which facilitates empowerment among families. The belief behind self-help group is that the shared experience of a group is highly valuable in the promotion of understanding and healing mental health (venting out frustration stress and tension)19. Self –help groups act as a venting therapy for SCD affected families and patients too.