Pauline: The importance of being heard

2023 was the hardest year of Pauline’s life. A business owner and mother to five beautiful children, after losing her younger brother to mental health struggles and herself suffering from domestic violence, Pauline’s mental health deteriorated significantly.

“I had a business, I was raising five kids, I had a home…I had it all.”

“[But] by December, I had hit a mental breakdown and by 22 December I was homeless. I was on the street.”

“I had lost my brother and been a victim of domestic violence. And then to lose my kids because of it, and my house…I lost everything.”

Pauline ended up rough sleeping in both Hugh Muntz Park and Tully Memorial Park. Still struggling with poor mental health, she became increasingly concerned for her safety and began using drugs to cope.

“I had honestly given up on my family and myself. I turned to drugs just to survive, to feel, and to hope again.”

“I started to use ice more just to protect myself, but deep down I was becoming more and more concerned for my safety.”

To make matters worse, in May 2024, Pauline found herself in hospital with mastitis.

“I ended up in hospital for a week. In there, I just felt like a number. I expressed concerns about my safety, but they didn’t care. I was screaming out for help.”

“I had no help after being discharged either. I didn’t know Brisbane at all, but I had to find my own way back to the park. Travelling from the Mater to Beenleigh, not knowing what train or bus to catch; I was having PTSD and anxiety attacks.”

Despite already fearing for her safety, Pauline was also concerned about her recovery and long-term health.

“For about six months I was worried I wasn’t going to make it. It was terrifying…I was scared I was going to lose my breast at 36.”

“It was just another stress on top already not being in a place that’s very safe or clean.”

Pauline’s main frustration in her struggles with the public health system and homelessness was the lack of care given to her, and others, in similar situations.

“The system has been broken for years. It’s situations like the one I faced that people don’t acknowledge or listen to.”

“Not everyone wants to be sleeping rough. We’re not just there for the fun of it.”

“Instead of treating us like a number, listen to us, understand us. I’m a prime example. I wasn’t just struggling with safety and infections, but mental health problems.”

For Pauline, the stigmas around homelessness and drug use made things worse and it was the thought of her children that gave her the strength to keep fighting.

“People that are drug addicts, there’s always an underlying issue to that drug addiction. I turned to drugs just to survive.”

“But I am one of the lucky ones because I still had hope of being a mum.”

For Pauline, taking the time to listen and understand people’s stories is important to move past these stereotypes.

Pauline is grateful to YFS for giving her this support.

“Courtney was my go-to with the YFS Outreach team. She met me at my darkest, weakest moment in my life, and she accepted me.”

“The amount of support she gave me was more than I’ll ever be able to give her credit for. She’s a treasure.”

When the opportunity arose to apply for long-term community housing in Slacks Creek Courtney immediately thought of Pauline.

“Courtney said I’d be the perfect candidate. She walked me through the paperwork, the application, and the interview process. She explained what the setup was like and made sure I understood everything.”

In her new home, Pauline felt an immediate sense of relief and safety, something she hadn’t felt in temporary housing situations like motel accommodation.

“For me, it was all about my own safety. Knowing the property had security cameras and was fenced off made a huge difference.”

“I’ve been here now three months, going on three months, and honestly it’s been the best thing that I’ve ever had.”

“This is my home, and nobody can take that. And it’s one of the best feelings you can have as a person… A place to call home.”

“This has allowed me to find my feet properly, recognise my own strengths and what I’m capable of.”

Pauline is incredibly grateful to the YFS Mobile Support team for helping her settle in and make the space her own.

“When I first moved in, I had nothing, absolutely nothing. My place is furnished because of them, and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.”

Since moving in, Pauline has taken big steps forward – including landing a job that she’s proud of. The variety in her work brings a sense of freedom and purpose she hadn’t felt in years.

“My office is not the exact same every single day. To be able to do things I love and enjoy – I couldn’t ask for a better job.”

She’s especially grateful to her employer for seeing her potential and giving her a chance, despite her past.

Now with stable housing and ongoing support, Pauline is rebuilding her life and is determined to use her journey to inspire change. She’s passionate about sharing her lived experience to advocate for others facing homelessness, addiction, and trauma – believing that real change begins with listening and understanding.

“I didn’t go through what I went through for nothing. Everyone deserves to have a voice, and that’s something that I lost. And now I have the opportunity to take it back.”

Pauline knows how easy it is to feel invisible in the system. Her story – shaped by domestic violence, foster care, and loss – is a reminder that anyone can find themselves without a home. But with the right support, recovery is possible.

“If I can change one person, or give one person hope, then my brother didn’t die in vain.”

Rather than being treated like a number, Pauline wants others to know that every person has a story worth listening to. She wants people to look beyond the surface and see the person behind the struggle.

“Remember that next time you see a homeless person in the street. Because you don’t know why they’re there. Even you yourself could be homeless tomorrow for no reason whatsoever.”

“But it’s important to remember that each and every single person here is a person. Sometimes it just takes them a little bit longer. Let them take that time. It’s important.”