I saw Robin Williams before I heard him.

Mork and Mindy was airing on the tv sets in the WJZ newsroom on Thursday nights when Square Off was taped.

Richard Sher was the host, and I was the producer. The sound was turned down on the tv sets.

After I heard about Robin Williams’ suicide, I thought about what impact it could have on mental health policy in Maryland.

What can I do as a legislator to improve the care we provide? Is there legislation that would bring all of the parties to the table, resulting in a change in the law or more funding for needed services?

A major need, I have learned, is emergency care: crisis intervention teams of trained police officers and hospital emergency rooms that provide prompt and appropriate medical care and referrals for longer-term treatment.

I’m drafting a bill and will share it with the relevant parties before I introduce it.