Mychal Threets, the literacy advocate who took over hosting duties for the “Reading Rainbow” reboot, announced this week that he is checking himself into a hospital to address his mental health. In a post on Threads, Threets wrote that he is “not okay” and plans to seek treatment, adding that he is “safe” for now.
“I am not okay. Maybe I’ll never be okay. I’m seeking help,” he wrote. “Going to the hospital tomorrow. In this moment I am safe. By God’s grace.”
Threets, a former librarian who gained viral fame for his uplifting social media content, has been open about his mental health battles. In 2024, he resigned from his librarian position in California, citing burnout and suicidal thoughts. He told NBC Bay Area at the time that he was “really struggling in life, struggling at work for the first time, just started feeling burnt out.”
The announcement drew an outpouring of support from fans and public figures. Yvette Nicole Brown, known for her role in “Community,” urged him to seek help immediately, writing, “If you need the help, maybe go tonight, friend.” Other Threads users echoed the sentiment, with one writing, “Mychael, please get the help that you need because this world is a better place because you’re in it.”
Threets was named host of the “Reading Rainbow” reboot in 2025, succeeding original host LeVar Burton. The beloved children’s series originally aired on PBS from 1983 to 2006, and its revival has been a point of interest for educators and parents. The reboot is part of a broader trend of nostalgic programming, but Threets’s health struggles highlight the pressures faced by public figures in the digital age.
His situation also underscores broader concerns about mental health access and support, a topic that has gained political traction as lawmakers debate funding for mental health services. Recent reports show that while overdose deaths have declined, cuts threaten mental health progress, and the Navy leaders face families over the Lincoln carrier mental health crisis, reflecting systemic challenges.
Threets’s openness about his struggles has resonated with many who follow his work. In his post, he expressed gratitude for those who have supported him, writing, “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.”
As he steps away for treatment, his fans and colleagues are rallying behind him, hoping he finds the care he needs. The incident also serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health awareness, especially for those in the public eye.
