User:ArnoBeunen/Psychiatric Family Foster Care (Geel)

The Psychiatric Family Foster Care in Geel is a particular psychiatric care model. It finds its origins in the veneration of Saint Dympna, patron saint of Geel and mental illnesses.

Psychiatric Family Foster Care is a form of foster care where a family takes in a person with a psychiatric illness or vulnerability. A lot of people consider this a successful treatment method for patients because it fosters the integration of patients into the community. The Geel psychiatric family foster care relies on three pillars: the foster patient who experiences a safe environment in their foster family, the Geel community that is open and tolerant towards the patients and the Public Psychiatric Care Centre (OPZ Geel) that provides professional and medical support.

Because of this, Geel is referred to as the Merciful City.