FORMER infant teacher Yvonne Haughan knows first hand the problems faced by people suffering severe depression.

The 57-year-old, who for 35 years played a key role at Northern Primary School, Burnley Road, Bacup, was left feeling "nothing but hopelessness and a want to give up on life" when daily stresses proved too much.

Now, 12 months down the line and after setting up her own firm, Yvonne has revealed how she beat her illness thanks to a pilot scheme at Blackburn Job Centre.

Depression is the most common illness in the UK. One in four people are thought to suffer from a mental health problem, such as depression, stress or anxiety.

Yvonne, of Booth Road, Stacksteads, says Pathways to Work - a scheme piloted in seven areas across the country by Jobwise and primary care trusts aimed at getting people back to work after illness - was "an olive branch".

Yvonne left the school a year ago when her illness worsened, but doctors told Yvonne she had been suffering for depression for three years.

The problem came to a head when she could no longer face standing in front of her pupils.

Yvonne said: "I had to give up a job I loved. I became so ill I couldn't leave my front room and totally lost my confidence."

Yvonne, who recovered from breast cancer 10 years ago, said added: "I was obsessed with work. I'd be up until midnight going over lesson plans and sometimes I'd not sleep at all.

"I realised I had a problem when I was having nightmares about work and I had a panic attack at school. Then I couldn't face even driving past it, never mind going in."

She added: "I had lots of support from friends and family, but having someone out of the situation with Pathways to Work made all the difference.

"The scheme gradually guides you back to your life as you know it by focusing negative thoughts on to a more positive wavelength."

Yvonne has now gone into business, setting up her own home-based floral display company, Aquilegia.

She added: "My life has changed by 100 per cent. There is life after severe depression and I'm so excited for my business to do well. I'd never have believed I could achieve what I have."

A scheme piloted in Accrington in April 2005 by Hyndburn and Ribble Valley PCT and voluntary sector organisations is being set up to address the problem. The Positive Mental Health project will make patients aware of alternatives to medication for depression, including contacts for the Citizens Advice Bureau and help groups.

Elaine Michel, public health specialist for East Lancashire Public Health Network, said: "People are not aware of what help there is if they are feeling depressed and all GPs can offer at the moment is medication which is not appropriate for everyone."