The general meaning of the proverb is that when it comes to solving your own problems, you are the best person to do that. The French have a equivalent proverb: Help yourself and God will help you.
The meaning of the term "self help is the best help" would be that: Self help creates self-determination. It creates a system where the individual who is recieving the help is doing so on their own....
I think the most important thing one can do in self-development is knowing ones self and being true to ones self. If you are not true to yourself and lie to yourself your just fooling yourself.