Manish Toofany, MD

Resident Physician, Family Medicine
McGill University

Youth Council Member
Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC)

Social Media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manish-toofany-496556199/

Affiliated Website:

Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC): https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/

Location: Montréal, Québec

Manish’s Spotlight

CHA Learning and the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) are proud to spotlight one of the many healthcare professionals across Canada working to make mental health and suicide prevention a greater priority in healthcare settings.

This spotlight reinforces the importance of our Talking About Suicide course—a quick-to-complete micro eLearning course created in partnership with family physicians, nurses, suicide prevention experts, and people with lived and living experience to help healthcare providers build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to engage in suicide-related conversations with their clients.

In the spotlight below, you’ll learn about Manish’s personal and professional journey: what led him to focus on mental health and suicide prevention, the initiatives he has been part of, and the meaningful lessons he has gained along the way. His story offers insight, hope, and a powerful reminder that every conversation matters.

Manish was an integral part of the Talking About Suicide advisory committee, sharing his insights and expertise as a resident in family medicine and a young person with lived experience.

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In Manish’s Own Words:

I’m a Youth Council Member with the Mental Health Commission of Canada and a resident physician in Family Medicine at McGill University. My journey in mental health advocacy is shaped by both personal experience and professional insight. Having navigated the mental health system personally, I know how vital compassionate, non-judgmental care can be.

Before medical school, I volunteered at a suicide crisis hotline, which taught me how powerful it can be to hold space for someone in distress. That experience continues to guide the way I approach conversations with patients today. Working in both British Columbia and Quebec has also given me a broader view of the gaps and opportunities in mental health care across the country.

Being part of the Talking About Suicide module design was a meaningful opportunity to bridge my clinical training with my lived experience. I believe that all healthcare workers should have the tools and confidence to have difficult conversations about suicide, and that patients benefit when we meet them with empathy, curiosity, and openness.

I was initially drawn to mental health and suicide prevention after navigating my own challenges with mental health as a youth. Coming from an immigrant family where mental health wasn’t openly discussed, and coming to terms with my personal identities, I found invaluable support through a queer-focused counseling organization in Vancouver. That experience motivated me to join the MHCC Youth Council and share my story to help others.

Working on the healthcare worker suicide prevention course was especially meaningful because it was a project where I could truly combine my lived experience with my clinical perspective. It’s so important to complement the training we receive in medical school with tools that help us engage in these sensitive conversations with respect and empathy.

As I near the end of residency and transition into independent practice as a family physician, I hope to continue making mental health care more accessible, inclusive, and person-centred. Whether it’s through clinical work, advocacy, or education, I want to keep creating space for honest dialogue and help reduce the stigma that still surrounds mental health and suicide for both patients and providers.

Tell Us About Your Professional Experience & Work in Mental Health…

Question: What inspired you to focus on mental health? Was there a specific moment or experience that shaped your direction?

Navigating my own mental health challenges as a youth and finding support through community services made me realize how powerful open, compassionate conversations can be, especially because they feel rare. That experience sparked my commitment to improving how we talk about mental health and suicide in healthcare.

Question: Can you share a bit about the work you’ve done in addressing mental health within healthcare systems?

I’ve contributed to the Talking About Suicide training module for healthcare providers, helping shape content that supports real, compassionate conversations with patients. I also bring my perspective as a resident physician and former crisis line responder to ongoing work with the MHCC Youth Council, aiming to reduce stigma and make mental health care more accessible, and patient-centred.

Question: What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in this work, and how have you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges in this work is maintaining the balance between connecting with patients and looking after your own emotional well-being. It’s a skill you develop over time, setting boundaries while still being human and empathetic. Long-term resilience is crucial and learning how to take care of your own mental health means you can show up better for your patients. The course addresses this as well, providing self-care reminders and helpful tips.

Question: In your view, how does mental health manifest most prominently in healthcare settings, and what are the first steps to addressing it?

Mental health often shows up in subtle ways—missed cues, discomfort in asking direct questions, or patients falling through the cracks due to stigma or time pressures. The first step is to create space for open, non-judgmental conversations and ensure providers feel confident and supported in having them.

Question: Could you share a success story where you’ve seen meaningful change in improving mental health outcomes in healthcare?

I’ve worked with patients who came in looking withdrawn or low, without initially sharing what they were going through. However, by creating a safe space and asking the right questions, some opened up about having suicidal thoughts. Each time, it reinforced how essential it is to have open, direct conversations about suicide in clinical care.

Question: How do you think healthcare professionals can play a suicide prevention role in their daily work?

Healthcare professionals play a key role by normalizing conversations about mental health, asking directly about suicide when appropriate, and responding with empathy rather than fear or avoidance. Small shifts in language and attitude can break down stigma and make it easier for patients to speak up and seek help.

Vision for the Field…

Question: Looking forward, what changes or innovations would you like to see in mental health care?

I’d like to see better integration of mental health support into primary care. I also think e-mental health tools have a big role to play – not as a replacement for in-person care, but as a complement, especially for people with different communication styles or who may feel more comfortable opening up through digital platforms.

Question: What do you think needs to happen on a systemic level to improve mental health outcomes and improve access to mental health care?

We need a multi-level approach: immediate crisis support that’s accessible and timely; ongoing care that ensures continuity and connection; and broader system-level changes that address root causes, including socioeconomic disadvantage, discrimination, and housing instability, which drive poor mental health. All three levels are essential to truly improving outcomes and reducing suicide risk.

Question: If you could implement one major change in the healthcare system tomorrow, what would it be?

If I could implement one major change in the healthcare system tomorrow, it would be to ensure that mental health is treated with the same urgency, funding, and integration as physical health – embedded into every part of the system rather than siloed.

Personal Insights & Advice…

Question: What advice would you give to others who are passionate about tackling mental health in healthcare?

What keeps me motivated is seeing the impact that a single conversation or interaction can have. When someone feels heard, understood, and less alone, it’s incredibly powerful. Those moments remind me why this work matters, even when it’s difficult.

Question: What keeps you motivated in this work, especially when the challenges seem overwhelming?

My family. Many have their own challenges with mental wellbeing. I do not want our children to experience the same difficulties that we did accessing services, finding meaningful connections, and finding a path to recovery.

Question: If you could give one piece of advice to healthcare professionals who want to improve mental health outcomes, what would it be?

One piece of advice I’d give is to meet people where they’re at. You don’t need all the answers – just being present, curious, and non-judgmental can make a huge difference.

Question: What’s your favourite way to unwind after a long day of work?

Listening to vinyl records – there’s something grounding about the ritual and sound, and the tactile experience of handling the record makes the whole process feel a bit magical.

Question: If you could have dinner with any three people, dead or alive, who would they be and why?

I’d love to share a meal with thoughtful creatives and storytellers – someone from the culinary world, someone from music, and someone in comedy. It would make for an inspiring and entertaining evening.

Question: What’s a book, podcast, or TV show you’re currently enjoying?

I’m currently reading Heaven by Mieko Kawakami. It’s a quiet but powerful exploration of difficult topics.

Question: If you weren’t working in healthcare, what career path would you have chosen?

I think I would have pursued teaching. I’ve always loved sharing knowledge and being a role model for others. I feel lucky that in healthcare, we often get to teach as part of the work we do.

Question: What’s a fun fact about you that most people wouldn’t expect?

I’m pretty particular about stationery. I have a favorite brand of paper I always stick to for writing because of how smooth it feels.

Talking About Suicide: Empowering Healthcare Providers, Instilling Hope in Clients

Earn up to 4 certified Mainpro+® credits!

The Talking About Suicide eLearning course is a free, self-paced micro-course designed for all healthcare professionals. In as little as three hours, gain the knowledge and confidence to navigate critical conversations about suicide, support those in crisis, and foster hope in your healthcare setting.

Enrol for free today!

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This program has received financial support from Health Canada.

Talking About Suicide Spotlight Series

The Talking About Suicide course was developed by dedicated individuals committed to improving mental health support and suicide prevention in healthcare. This special Spotlight Series highlights just a few of those individuals who helped shape the course and ensure its relevance and impact.

Click on the profiles below to explore their stories and learn more about the contributors behind this important work.