Advice

Soaps traditionally reflect real life, and part of that involves covering difficult issues, such as River City's storyline about Alice's alcoholism and imprisonment. But what does creating such a storyline involve?

A lot of research is done into the issue being covered before any of the scenes are written. Researchers consult support groups and experts, and take advice from those who've been affected by the problem.

You'll find advice on a range of subjects on the BBC Health site and Radio 1's One Life site. If you've been affected by any of the issues that have featured in River City, you'll find the links on this page a useful guide for getting further information on the topics.

BBC Scotland Action Line: 0800 099 099

Addictions:
www.bbc.co.uk/health/addictions/
www.bbc.co.uk/health/mental/drugs_use

Adoption and Fostering:
www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onelife/personal/parenthood/
www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/
www.baaf.org.uk/

Adult literacy:
www.bbc.co.uk/learning/adults/webguide

Asthma:
www.bbc.co.uk/health/awareness/asthma.shtml

Bereavement:
www.bbc.co.uk/health/bereavement/
www.bbc.co.uk/relationships/coping_with_grief/

Bullying:
www.bullying.co.uk/
news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/uk/

Cancer:
www.bbc.co.uk/health/cancer/
www.bbc.co.uk/health/cancer/orgs6.shtml
www.cancerbacup.org.uk

Counselling and advice:
www.childline.org.uk
www.samaritans.org

Depression
www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/mental_health/disorders_depression.shtml
www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk

Divorce
www.bbc.co.uk/relationships/couples/heartaches_divorce.shtml
www.relate.org.uk/familylife/
www.itsnotyourfault.org

Domestic Violence and abuse:
www.bbc.co.uk/health/hh/
www.bbc.co.uk/health/you/

Gay & Lesbian
www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onelife/personal/relationships/gay.shtml
www.schools-out.org.uk/

Health:
www.healthscotland.com/
www.bbc.co.uk/health/

Heart Disease:
www.bbc.co.uk/health/heart/

Mental Health:
www.bbc.co.uk/health/mental/
www.seemescotland.org/

Miscarriage support:
www.connectedscotland.org.uk/scimnet/

Your neighbourhood :
www.bbc.co.uk/crime/fighters/nnwa

Pregnancy:
www.medicdirect.co.uk/clinics
www.fpa.org.uk/
www.bbc.co.uk/parenting/having_a_baby/

Relationships:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/relationships/
www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onelife/

Racism:
www.onescotland.com/

Starting your own business:
www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onelife/work/options/ownbiz1

Stepfamilies:
www.bbc.co.uk/relationships

Stress:
www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/stress
www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk

Suicide
www.samaritans.org.uk/
www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/mental_health/emotion_suicide.shtml

Disclaimer: All content within the webguide is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. The BBC is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based on the content of a BBC website. The BBC is not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of the sites. Always consult your own GP if you're in any way concerned about your health.