APA Dictionary of Psychology

a colony of people with serious mental illness at Gheel in Belgium, a town of refuge where they are given shelter in individual homes and employed in various capacities. This practice dates from the 13th century and is associated with the legend of St. Dymphna, who was martyred at Gheel and became the patron saint of individuals with mental illness, victims of incest, and runaways. The colony became a government institute in 1850. See Saint Dymphna’s disease.