Belgian town honors psychiatrist Dirk De Wachter
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The Boom city council in Belgium named psychiatrist Dirk De Wachter an honorary citizen on Tuesday.
De Wachter grew up in Boom and the council recognized his commitment to values like mutual care and mental wellbeing. The town rarely bestows this honor, having previously given it to musician Bobbejaan Schoepen and actor Herbert Flack. Council member Tibo Roekaerts explained that the decision acknowledges both De Wachter as an individual and the message he promotes, especially in a time of division.
Boom already runs programs supporting mental health, including Café Mentaal Welzijn and OverKop-huis for youth, and plans to collaborate with De Wachter on future initiatives like lectures and meetings. De Wachter expressed his pleasure at receiving the honor, recalling a happy childhood in Boom where his mother owned a shop on the lively Kerkstraat.
Though he moved away after age 27, he remained connected to the town through family and now intends to dedicate his time in retirement, starting in October, to supporting Boom’s community. He hopes to help develop spaces for quiet reflection or community gatherings, prioritizing input from residents themselves.
