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 the mentally ill, incest victims, and runaways. The colony became a government institute in 1850. See Saint Dymphna’s disease.
the selection of a vocation, usually on the basis of such factors as parental guidance, vocational guidance, identification with admired figures, trial or part-time jobs, training opportunities, personal interests, and ability tests.