Updated on May 18, 2021 at 8:08 pm NBC Universal, Inc. When someone in D.C. calls 911 for help with a mental health issue, the call could soon be transferred to the District’s mental health crisis team instead of to police. D.C. will launch a pilot program next month to shift some calls to teams from the Department of Behavioral Health, Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office announced. The launch of the program follows calls for police reform. Download our NBC Washington app for iOS or Android to get alerts for local breaking news and weather. “This program builds on all our efforts to make sure we are providing residents the right care at the right time. The sooner we can identify what a person needs — whether that is an ambulance, a doctor’s appointment, or in this case, a visit from a behavioral health expert — the sooner we can help them,” the mayor said in a statement.