$1.7 million granted Mayo Clinic for child consulting - KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and Sports

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC ) -- In a new plan by the state of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic will work with their partners to counsel children before prescribing medicine. 

It's all part of an effort to address an alarming increase in the use of psychiatric prescriptions for children.  $1.71 million dollars was granted to Mayo Clinic through state and federal funding to require consulting sessions before prescribing medications.

Dr. Peter Jensen of Mayo Clinic says that medicine isn't the only option available to help the more than 90 percent of children who aren't able to see one of the limited number of child psychiatrists in the state. The child psychiatry specialist says primary care doctors and pediatricians across the state can call on a network of experts when they have a family or child that needs help.  "And they're not sure what to do, they can call us up, and we'll be available. And we'll return that call that same day and give them advice and support."

The program will provide a 6-month training to more than 300 doctors across the state.  Mayo will partner with Sanford Health, Essentia Health and PrairieCare