メンタルフレンド

noun

mental friend; student volunteer supporting a truant or unsociable child

A wasei-eigo term used in educational and social welfare contexts in Japan. Refers to a volunteer, often a university student, who befriends and supports a child who is truant, withdrawn, or has difficulty socializing. Not a professional counselor, but a peer-like companion.

wasei-eigo (Japanese-coined English), from mental friend

• 彼かの女じょは不ふ登とう校こうの子こどものメンタルフレンドとして活かつ動どうしている。

  She works as a mental friend for a truant child.

• メンタルフレンド制せい度どは、学がっ校こうに行いきづらい子こどもを支し援えんするボランティアです。

  The mental friend system is a volunteer program that supports children who find it hard to go to school.