Dorothea Lynde Dix (April 4, 1802 - July 17, 1887)

  

ASSISTANCE TO THE INCARCERATED MENTALLY ILL ("AIMI") WORKS IN THE TRADITION OF DOROTHEA DIX, a highly effective human rights advocate on behalf of the indigent mentally ill during the 19th century.  Dix was the daughter of a mentally ill man who had compassion for sick people.  She went to a prison to give Sunday school lessons and was appalled at the inhumane conditions under which mentally ill detainees were kept, similar to today's abusive incarceration.  Dix was singularly responsible for delivering the mentally ill out of prisons and into treatment during her lifetime.  Now they are back in prison, frequently suffering abuse and neglect - even wrongful death.  We must again decriminalize mental illness.  More about Ms. Dix: 
 http://www.care2.com/c2c/share/detail/865865