“Reading Rainbow” star reveals plan to check himself into hospital: ‘I am not okay’
“Reading Rainbow” star reveals plan to check himself into hospital: ‘I am not okay’
Raechal ShewfeltTue, August 18, 2026 at 11:40 PM UTC
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‘Reading Rainbow’ star Mychal ThreetsCredit: Kidzuko/YoutubeKey Points -
Mykal Threets, the host of the Reading Rainbow reboot, on Monday shared that he planned to check himself into a hospital.
Threets is known for being open about his struggles with mental health.
Entertainment Weekly has reach out to the social media star.
Mychal Threets, the librarian and author who hosts the Reading Rainbow reboot, received a lot of love from his followers Monday, after he said he was struggling.
“I am not okay. Maybe I’ll never be okay. I’m seeking help,” Threets wrote on Threads. “Going to the hospital tomorrow. In this moment I am safe. By God’s grace.”
He continued, “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.”
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Entertainment Weekly has reached out to his team.
In the comments of his post, Threets received a lot of support.
Actress Yvette Nicole Brown, for one, suggested, “If you need the help, maybe go tonight, friend.”
Another wrote, “This world is a better place with you in it. You are seen. You are appreciated. And you are loved. Be well, sweetheart.”
Someone else commented, “Sending you love and support and as much positive energy as I can muster. You will never know how much your positivity has helped me and so many others. You are loved.”
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By Tuesday afternoon, Threets’ post had more than 70,000 likes.
For context, the social media personality, who’s known as Mychal the Librarian, has more than 987,000 Instagram followers, and he’s known for being candid about his mental health.
In an April interview with NBC Bay Area, he noted that he found internet success after leaving a job at a library for mental health reasons.
Mychal Threets reads to an audienceCredit: Chris Saucedo/Getty
“I was just really struggling in life, struggling at work for the first time, just started feeling burnt out,” Threets said. “And I think my plan was, honestly to to leave the world at that time. I planned to take my own life in March 2024, and I’m still struggling today, but it’s led to a life of just traveling all over the United States, and now, the resident librarian for PBS, PBS Kids, and also also the host of Reading Rainbow.”
Threets had spoken about his loneliness at the time, which prompted PBS to reach out.
The original Reading Rainbow, which aired on PBS from 1983 to 2006, was hosted by LeVar Burton. The reboot launched in 2025.
In addition to Reading Rainbow, Threets is the author of this year’s I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
on Entertainment Weekly
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
