11th Annual Survivors of Suicide Conference:  Thousands of survivors of suicide loss will gather together around the world on this day of healing, support, and empowerment. If you’ve lost someone to suicide please join us for the 11th Annual Survivors of Suicide Conference on Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Hundreds of local conference sites will simultaneously watch a 90-minute broadcast produced by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. On this broadcast, a diverse panel of survivors and mental health professionals will address the questions that so many survivors face. “Why did this happen? How can I cope? Where can I find support?”

The event will be held at the San Francisco VA Medical Center, 4150 Clement Street, Auditorium (1st Floor Bldg. 7), San Francisco, 94121. This event is free and refreshments will be provided. For more information call Thais Williams at 415.551.7366.

Flu Season is Here! Every year in the United States 5 to 20% of the population gets the flu. Over 36,000 people die each year from the flu. On the average 200,000 people are hospitalized each year as a result of the flu. To help curb the spread of the flu we recommend veterans to get the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is the most effective method for preventing the flu and complications the flu may cause.

You can receive the 2009-10 seasonal flu vaccine at any scheduled medical appointment at the San Francisco VAMC or any of our community-based outpatient clinics.

The H1N1 Flu Vaccine is becoming available in limited amounts. As this vaccine becomes available, it will be administered to Veterans based on the risk priority recommended by the VA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.