Mychal Threets Shares Hopeful Update After Five-Day Psychiatric Hospital Stay

Mychal Threets, the host of the revived Reading Rainbow, says he is home after spending five days in a psychiatric hospital.

Threets shared the update Saturday on Threads, saying he had “not been okay for what feels like a very, very long time.” He said he is still struggling but has hope that he will eventually feel better.

The social media star thanked the doctors, nurses and mental health workers who cared for him, saying they saved his life. He also thanked his family, friends and followers for their support.

“It’s okay to not be fine,” Threets said. “We’re struggling. We’re human beings. We’re doing our best.”

Threets, known online as “Mychal the Librarian,” has built a large following by promoting books, libraries and mental health awareness. He has previously spoken openly about his own mental health struggles, including leaving his library job after experiencing severe burnout.

In an earlier interview, Threets said he had planned to take his own life in March 2024 but survived and began focusing on recovery and sharing messages of hope with others.

He became the host of Reading Rainbow when the series returned in 2025. The original PBS program was hosted by LeVar Burton from 1983 to 2006.

Threets ended his latest message by thanking his followers and saying, “Maybe I’ll see you at the library. I’ll see you tomorrow. I love you.”