In the depths of despair, she would crush sprigs to release the soothing scent, and that would take her mind away from its trauma. It would give her a glimpse of a sunnier world.

Over the 30 years of her pain, humble rosemary has eased what she calls her "chaotic and traumatic journey".

Now she is going to help others learn techniques which might be useful as they try to resurface from depression and other mental illness.

The patient-turned-teacher was at the formal opening of the "ACT Recovery College", handing out sprigs of rosemary to dignitaries.

She will also be there when a radical new way of dealing with mental illness is tried in Canberra. What helped her may help others.

The attitude to treating the mentally ill was once much more prescriptive: doctors and other professionals would tell patients what treatment they should have.

Under the Recovery College's new approach, patients will be known as "students". They and people still recovering will work as partners with professionals to determine how they can best be helped.

"There's equal partnership between people with 'lived experience' of mental health and professional experience," ACT Recovery College manager Dianna Smith said.

The courses will mirror the school term and be available through the day at Montford Crescent in Lyneham. People can be referred by a doctor or simply contact the centre, including by just turning up.

According to Simon Viereck, the head of the venture with the ACT's Mental Health Community Coalition, one set of sessions would be about the experience of mental illness. People suffering will get support from people who've been through it. The hope is that this ill help sufferers understand what they are going through, and not feel so isolated about it.

The other aspect of the courses will be on how to ease the difficulties associated with mental health. The value of having teachers who have gone through mental illness, or even who are still going through it, is to impart advice with authority.

They know whether, say, exercise or doing art helps people.

Or rosemary.

At the launch, Leanne Stevens handed out sprigs with a message.

"I experienced a time when I was easily lost in my mind and where I found myself prisoner to my own torment," she said.

"To connect with my present world, I would use my garden as a mindful feast. I'd take a sprig of the rosemary plant and rub it between my fingers, taking my time as I existed in the NOW moment.

"I found myself very much grounded, just for a moment, connected to reality."

Her healing continues.

She will help others on the same bumpy route.