Racheal Ebagua, from South-east London, says the condition affects her both physically and mentally making her wonder if she is “a burden to others” as doing daily activities are harder for her and makes her feel “weaker” compared to her peers.

This is a consensus shared by a range of young people struggling with this condition.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder which affects more that 15,000 people in the UK, typically those of African or Caribbean descent.

People with this condition can experience flare ups called “crises.” Racheal describes her experiences with crises and how scary it can feel.

“During a crisis I feel like because more time you are at the hospital there are people watching over you but I think the transfer from the children’s ward to the adult ward, in the children’s ward everyone is just similar and very light-hearted but in the adult’s ward this is real life you actually see people like going through it seriously and I think it was just in the back of my head sickle cell is going to cause me it might be the reason I might pass away one day”.

Through this you can see the heavy toll this condition can take psychologically in young people.

Though having extreme physical symptoms that is not quite all there is too it. Anxiety, low mood, and depression can all be experienced alongside it. So how could young people living with this condition stay strong mentally and psychologically.

Here is what Racheal had to say regarding this. “Tell everyone literally everyone you have sickle cell, is it your friends, is it your teachers, literally anyone that is close to you. If you don’t tell anyone you’re struggling with something they will never be able to help you, so let everyone know that you have this, and life will be so much easier.”

Her encouraging words bring to light the importance of letting others know your struggling so they can be of aid as if they do not know they cannot help.

For those with family, friends or colleagues with sickle cell wondering how they can help alleviate the psychological toll just be mindful and considerate do not make them feel like a burden for needing to take a break here and there.

Be patient with them as they are trying their best. At work if you can see they are having a tough day give them “simple tasks that are not too straining or too difficult” this could be as helpful to them as it is to Racheal in her workplace.

Every individual is different so it is important to have these discussions with those living with the condition as your small actions and considerations could have an enormous impact on them.