The document discusses support groups, which are voluntary organizations formed by people with common health conditions or hardships to provide mutual help and support. It outlines the history and rise of support groups from the 1930s onward. It explains that support groups are important for information sharing, advocacy, research, and establishing treatment guidelines. However, some groups may lack accountability or focus more on common conditions. The document encourages wider societal support and participation in support groups to help those facing challenging health issues.