‘Reading Rainbow’ star Mychal Threets reveals plans to check into hospital: ‘I am not okay’
“Reading Rainbow” host Mychal Threets announced plans to check himself into the hospital.
“I am not okay. Maybe I’ll never be okay. I’m seeking help,” the 36-year-old wrote on Threads on Monday.
He added, “Going to the hospital tomorrow. In this moment I am safe. By God’s grace.”
Threets told his followers that “no matter what happens to me I will always be thankful for the extraordinary people in my life who worry, who help me.”
“Thank you for your care. I will always love you 💚,” he concluded.
Page Six has reached out to Threets’ team for comment.
The famous librarian — who has opened up about his struggles with depression and anxiety — received an outpouring of support in the comments.
Actress Yvette Nicole Brown told Threets, “If you need the help, maybe go tonight, friend.”
One fan said, “Mychal, please get the help that you need because this world is a better place because you’re in it.”
Another replied, “You are loved. Hope you find gentle healing and renewal.”
A different fan told Threets they “will be waiting in the library for you to return from your battle.”
On Sunday, Threets posted a selfie on Threads and wrote, “Nobody important?! Blimey, that’s amazing. D’you know, in 900 years of time and space, I’ve never met anyone who wasn’t important before.
“You ARE important. Can’t wait for you to discover it for yourself. Please stay to find out. The world is not easy, but the world is best with you in it,” he added in his post.
In January, Threets opened up about how he navigates his mental health struggles while being in the spotlight.
“I’m still a very introverted person,” he told People. “I think because of what’s happened in life, I’ve become more extroverted. I’ve been more comfortable talking about the library, talking about library stories, talking about mental health, just because I love it all.”
“But had I known all this was going to happen, I probably would’ve never started posting,” he added.
Threets also admitted that while he still has “hard days” and would “much rather be behind the scenes,” he’s grateful his career has allowed him to be “a narrator of library joy.”
Threets started hosting the “Reading Rainbow” reboot on YouTube in 2025. LeVar Burton was the original host of the educational children’s TV series.
Known as “Mychal the Librarian,” Threets rose to fame for his viral videos where he shared book recommendations, inspirational messages and advocacy for mental health awareness.
He told People that if not for his books, family, friends and libraries, “I wouldn’t be here today.”
If you or someone you care about is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
