Saint Dymphna is well known as a patron of people living with mental illness. She was a 7th century Irish princess who fled from her father, who seems to have had a mental illness, and she settled in Geel, Belgium, where she cared for people with mental illnesses. Because she lived so long ago, much of her story is shrouded in the mist of legend, so it is difficult to know with certainty much about Dymphna herself.

However, what is known with certainly is that Saint Dymphna’s legacy inspired the people of Geel to show compassion for people who live with mental illness. Over the centuries the people of Geel invited people with a mental illness to live and work in their community without any stigma or discrimination. Throughout the Middle Ages and even today the town of Geel is known as a model for community acceptance of people who live with a mental illness. 

“Saint Dymphna Patron of Those with a Mental Illness.” Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, catholicmhm.org/st-dymphna.