A Writer Like My Dad

I think I wanted to become a writer because it seemed like the simplest way to become my dad when I grew up. My dad’s great. They call him Stephen “The Cuban” Kimber. For decades he inspired journalism students to take the news seriously and helped them careers in an industry where that was still [...]

Mike Kimber speaks on MTV

Michael Kimber Goes Mental Health Commission

For the whole transcript check this out.

The Cure-A Visual Poem

About a month ago, Mike Hachey from Egg Films got in touch with me and told me that he wanted to make a music video for me. I’d seen what he had done for my friend Laura Burke and said of course I would. As a result I was flown into shoot the video a [...]

A Letter to Politicians And People: Let’s Talk About Mental Illness

I never learned anything about mental illness in school. My education has been watching my friend’s collapse, chase drug addictions and commit suicide. At 25, my life fell apart. I suffered a nervous breakdown brought on by intense anxiety. By the end I was down to two hours of sleep a night, trapped in a [...]

About

Michael Kimber is a 26-year-old journalist who suffered a nervous breakdown on November 3rd, 2009. On March 28th, 2010 when he recovered from mental illness, he began writing a blog called Colony-of-losers. About falling on your face to figure out who you are and the hilarious antics of a blond jew. What began with a few friends and his mother reading has become a cult phenomenon, averaging 10,000 views a week, receiving praise from Commonwealth Award Winner Shandi Mitchell and many others. On, November 3rd, 2010, the one year anniversary of his mental breakdown he signed with Anne McDermid and Associates, the largest literary agency in Canada. In a year he went from wearing pajamas, making his couch depression HQ to leaving his hometown for the Toronto, where he exclusively wears business suits and the armor of ancient Greeks. Don't worry, he's still choking on the feet he contently sticks in his mouth and making moments awkward just by being part of them. During these struggles he met other talented bastards and drew them into his circle. Peter Diamond became his illustrator. Patrick Campbell his video editor and part time photographer. He recently added the incredibly talented John Packman as Colony of Losers Toronto photographer. Without the support of the Colony of Losers, Michael Kimber would be nothing. Welcome to the losers and the success that comes from utter and complete failure. You aren’t alone. Follow him on twitter.com/colonyoflosersand twitter.com/quimbo. If you’d like to hire him for a public speaking engagement for mental health events in Toronto, like to arrange an interview, offer millions to publish his book or for another reason contact Michael please email him. And join his facebook Colony of Losers.

Really obvious disclaimer:
I’m not a trained psychologist. Just a fellow traveler. If you need help seek it from the professionals. The Canadian Mental Health Association provides a help locator. You can find crisis resources provided by the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention. If you are in the states check here. It will give you services by zip code. I’d also recommend checking out Mindyourmind.ca. I think they do great work and have been a help to me personally.