can we do it by phone?
Yes you can. To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night : Call 800 - 273 - 8255 then select 1 .. We also have a confidential Veterans chat.
can we select a provider or do they make us talk to the next available person?
You can ask for a provider of a specific gender if that makes you feel more comfortable . If you don't have a VA primary care provider call your nearest VA medical center and ask to speak to the MST coordinator and they will help you.