“Reading Rainbow” host Mychal Threets says he is safe and hopeful about his recovery after spending five days receiving psychiatric care.
Threets, known online as Mychal the Librarian, shared an emotional social media video Saturday, Aug. 22. He apologized for worrying his followers and said he had just returned from what he described as a “five-day psychiatric hold.”
“I haven’t been okay for what feels like a very, very long time,” Threets said.
Although he acknowledged that recovery could take time, the 36-year-old librarian and literacy advocate said he has “hope” he will eventually be okay.
Threets thanked the doctors, nurses and mental health professionals who cared for him during his hospital stay.
“You saved my life,” he told them.
He also expressed gratitude to his family, friends and supporters.
On Sunday, Aug. 23, Threets shared another hopeful message with his Instagram followers.
“Library kids, we literally survived the day,” he wrote. Threets said he was not yet okay but was receiving help, adding, “Today I am safe.”
The post included a childhood photograph alongside a recent picture of Threets. In its caption, he thanked those who encouraged him to approach his recovery “one tomorrow at a time.”
The updates followed several concerning social media posts from Threets earlier in the week. On Aug. 17, he told followers that he was struggling but safe and planned to go to a hospital to seek help.
Threets has since withdrawn from a scheduled appearance at TEDxSanDiego’s Aug. 27 event. Organizers said they supported his decision to step away and focus on his health and well-being.
WHO IS MYCHAL THREETS?
A former supervising librarian with California’s Solano County Library, Threets built a large social media following through uplifting videos about books, young readers and what he calls “library joy.”
He has also spoken openly about his mental health. In 2024, he left his position at the Solano County Library to prioritize his well-being.
Threets subsequently became PBS’ resident librarian and was later chosen to succeed LeVar Burton as host of the revived “Reading Rainbow”. The new version debuted on Sony Pictures Television’s KidZuko YouTube channel in October 2025.
He is also the author of the children’s book “I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy.” The American Library Association selected him to serve as the honorary chair of National Library Week in 2026.
Threets ended his hospital-update video with a message for others experiencing difficult moments.
“It’s okay not to be fine,” he said. “We’re human beings. We’re doing our best.”
NEED HELP?
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, a mental health crisis or thoughts of suicide, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Free and confidential support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week across the United States and its territories. Online chat is also available at 988lifeline.org.
