Free host kit
Host your own Dumplings Against Depression
Gather your people, share a plate of dumplings, and gently talk about how everyone is really going. We are here to help at every step.
Ways to host
Choose the table that suits you
Every size of gathering is wonderful. Costs are a rough guide and will change with your area and menu.
At home
Kitchen table
Friends, family or neighbours fold and share dumplings together.
At work
Workplace lunch
A team lunch with our conversation cards. Feel free to add a speaker.
In community
Community gathering
At a hall or place of worship, with local services invited to share a stall.
On campus
Student club
For students far from home, together with your student wellbeing team.
Online
Folding circle
Everyone cooks at home and joins a video call. Lovely for rural areas and family overseas.
Host guide
The recipe for a lovely gathering
Here is everything, step by step. Feel free to download the printable guide too.
6 weeks before
Plan
- Let us know you are hosting, so we can send you the logo and posters
- Choose a date. October is Mental Health Month, and any time of year is lovely
- Find a space that is easy to reach, with a quiet corner someone can step into
- Invite a community leader or elder to co-host with you
4 weeks before
Invite
- Send invitations in the languages your guests speak
- Ask about dietary needs and allergies (halal, kosher, vegetarian, gluten, shellfish, sesame, soy)
- Invite a local service, such as a community health centre or multicultural wellbeing worker
- Check your local council’s food safety rules if you are serving food to the public
1 week before
Prepare
- Print the conversation cards and support numbers for every table
- Choose one support person who feels ready to help if someone becomes upset
- Plan your dumplings and label every filling clearly
- Offer an easy way to say no to photos, such as a coloured wristband
On the day
Host
- Welcome everyone and give an Acknowledgement of Country
- Eat first, and let the talking come after
- Let everyone know that sharing is always a choice, and passing is welcome
- Before people leave, point out the support numbers once more
Within 2 weeks
Share back
- Tell us how many joined, the languages spoken and what people shared, so your community’s voice is part of our yearly Pulse report
- If you raised money, send it to AIDMH through our official donation page
- Thank your guests and helpers
Take the whole guide with you
A printable PDF with the checklist, cut-out conversation cards and support numbers.
Conversation cards
Questions to start the talking
Start with food and home, and move to feelings when the table feels ready. Feel free to translate the cards together with people from your community, so the meaning stays kind and clear.
Which dumpling reminds you of home? Who made it for you?
Home
What did your family cook when someone was sick or sad?
Home
In your language, what words do people use for stress or feeling low?
Words
What did you learn growing up about sharing your worries?
Words
When life feels heavy, who do you go to first?
Support
What would make it easier for people in your community to reach out for support?
Support
Where in Australia do you feel you belong the most?
Belonging
What do you wish doctors and counsellors knew about your culture?
Belonging
Caring for each other
Looking after everyone at the table
Talking about wellbeing can bring up strong feelings, and that is completely normal. These gentle steps will help you care for your guests.
If someone becomes upset
- Stay calm and stay with them, and offer the quiet corner.
- Listen more than you speak. You do not need to fix anything.
- Ask how you can help, and who they would like to call.
- Share the support numbers, and offer to sit with them while they call.
- If anyone is in danger, call 000 straight away.
Things to leave to the professionals
- Medical advice or guessing a diagnosis
- Asking people to tell painful stories in front of the group
- Sharing anyone’s story, name or photo without their consent
Support numbers for every table
| Emergency | 000 |
| Lifeline, 24 hour crisis support | 13 11 14 |
| Beyond Blue | 1300 22 4636 |
| 13YARN, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people | 13 92 76 |
| Translating and Interpreting Service | 131 450 |
Anyone can call 131 450 first and ask for an interpreter to join a call to a support line.
Sharing our name
We would love you to use our name
Dumplings Against Depression™ is a trade mark of Mental Health of Australia Inc, trading as AIDMH. Every gathering that carries the name helps it grow, and we are so grateful to share it with you.
Feel free to
- Use the name and logo for your not-for-profit gathering
- Use the posters and social tiles we send you
- Say “a Dumplings Against Depression gathering, hosted by [your group]”
- Collect donations for AIDMH through our official donation page
Let’s chat first if you would like to
- Sell food, tickets or products under the name
- Find sponsors or speak with media about your gathering
- Adapt the logo or create your own version
- Talk about health outcomes or treatment
We would love to help you make it happen.
Register to host
Tell us about your table
We can’t wait to hear about your gathering. Once you send this, Judy and Niharika will reach out with the logo, posters, printable cards and a thank-you certificate.