The ‘Reading Rainbow’ host said he’s got a long way to go after updating fans on his mental health.
ByJaelani Turner-Williams
August 22, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Reading Rainbow host Mychal Threets returned home after a five-day psychiatric hold, telling fans, “I am not OK, but I have hope that I will get to OK.”
- Threets thanked the doctors, nurses, and mental health workers who “saved my life” and acknowledged that his recovery will take time.
- The 36-year-old librarian and PBS host canceled a scheduled TED Talk after seeking treatment, continuing his years-long openness about mental health.
Reading Rainbowhost Mychal Threets has returned home from a five-day psychiatric hold and shared an honest update with fans about the state of his mental health.
Earlier this week, the 36-year-old television personality announced in a Threads update that he’d be seeking mental help and that he was unwell, which concerned fans. In a new Instagram reel on Saturday (August 22), Threets shared that he’s made an improvement while acknowledging those who were worried about him.
“I just wanted to apologize for worrying so many people,” Threets said in the video. “I just got back from a five-day stay at the hospital, a five-day psychiatric hold. I haven’t been OK for what feels like a very, very long time. I am not OK. But I have hope that I will get to OK.”
Threets went on to joke that he’s on the “struggle bookmobile,” while explaining that he anticipates a long road ahead. “It’s gonna take a long time for me to be OK. It’s going to take a long time, but I just wanted to say ‘thank you’ to the multitude of doctors, nurses and mental health workers I saw — it’s not enough, but thank you, you saved my life,” he said.
“We’re struggling, we’re human beings, we’re doing our best,” Threets concluded. “Thank you for being you. Thank you for staying. Maybe I’ll see you at the library. I’ll see you tomorrow. I love you.”
Threets had publicly telegraphed his decision to seek help before checking in.
Threets cancelled a scheduled TED Talk following his admission, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Children’s book author Phil Bildner had reassured fans in a Threads post Tuesday (August 18) that Threets “is getting the help he needs and appreciates all your love and support,” per The Los Angeles Times.
The librarian, who’s a native of Fairfield, California, went viral in 2024 for his joyful librarian content while working at the Solano County Library. He’d go on to step away from that role that same year to focus on his mental health.
Named host of the PBSReading Rainbow reboot in September 2025, he became just the second person to hold that position in the show’s history, following original host LeVar Burton, who led the program from 1983 to 2006.
If you or someone you know is struggling, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
