Having trouble getting Email library to load

[eluser]ihateregisteringforastupidforum[/eluser]
[quote author="dudeami0" date="1290577238"]

Code:

$this->load->library('email');
    $this->email->from($from_email, 'Company name here');
    $this->email->to($recipient);
    $this->email->subject($subject);
    $this->email->message($message);    
    $return = $this->email->send();
    $this->email->print_debugger();
    return $return;

See what the debugger says, if it says anything.[/quote]

Debugger says

Code:

Fatal error: Using $this when not in object context in /OpenVBX/helpers/mail_helper.php on line 104

I'm trying to do it backwards. I need to probably load the email library in the controller that calls upon this helper. I hope the helper can then use $this->email->send();.
No, I can't do that either.

Code:

Fatal error: Call to a member function library() on a non-object in /OpenVBX/models/vbx_user.php on line 202