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The mother of one of the police officers murdered in the tragic Wieambilla shootings says her life has "imploded" after her daughter's death in an emotional plea ahead of National Police Remembrance Day.
Queensland constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold were shot dead by extremists, Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Train at their Wieambilla property on December 12, 2022, while responding to a missing persons report.
Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold were shot dead while responding to a missing person report at Wieambilla in December 2022. (Supplied)
The Trains also murdered their neighbour, Alan Dare, before they were killed in a dramatic shootout with police.
A five-week coronial inquest into the shootings came to a close in August this year.
Today Constable McCrow's mother Judy, who spoke on behalf of the McCrow and Arnold families, urged members of the police service to seek help, if they're struggling with their mental health in the wake of the shooting.
"Nearly two years on, our pain is still very raw. The heartache is unbearable," Dr McCrow said through tears.
Constable McCrow and Arnold's families were joined by Blue Hope – a charity organisation focused on improving the mental health of police officers.
Its founder, Detective Sergeant Andrew Ayres said demand for the service has skyrocketed since the devastating attacks.
"There's absolutely been a spike in the request for services," he said.
"The one thing that Wieambilla taught me, or provided a lesson about, is my own mortality.
"Sadly, police officers do exactly the same thing that Matt and Rachel did on that day, and it's part of their daily duties; making welfare checks, knocking on doors."
The families of the two slain officers said more funding is needed for the charity, which has helped more than 1,600 former and serving officers nationally.
It also provided support to those who responded to the tragedy, travelling to the tiny town on the Western Downs the morning after the attack.
Blue Hope is a not-for-profit charity providing support for Queensland police officers. (Supplied)
"We know how vital it is to have someone in your corner like Blue Hope, because unfortunately, we continue to struggle with our mental demons," Dr McCrow said.
"Time isn't healing our wounds."
Detective Sergeant Ayres said part of the problem was the stigma about reaching out for help, and the fear of judgement.
"Police officers see more trauma in eight hours than some do in an entire lifetime," he said.
"I like to use the adage, every time we go to a job, we pick up a pebble and put it in a backpack. After 10 years, that backpack starts to get heavy.
"No one's going to tell [the police officers], 'you're broken, you're a danger to other people'. We want to provide them with an environment to open up."
National Police Remembrance Day is September 27.