‘Reading Rainbow’ host says he’s checking into hospital over mental health

( NewsNation ) — The host of the “ Reading Rainbow ” reboot is prioritizing his mental health.

Mychal Threets wrote on Threads earlier this week that he would be checking himself into the hospital to seek treatment.

“I am not okay. Maybe I’ll never be okay. I’m seeking help,” he said. “Going to the hospital tomorrow. In this moment I am safe. By God’s grace.”

He added, “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.”

The librarian and author received support underneath his post.

“Community” actress Yvette Nicole Brown advised , “If you need the help, maybe go tonight, friend.”

This image released by Embassy Row shows literacy advocate Mychal Threets, host of the children’s series “Reading Rainbow” on the KidZuko YouTube channel. (Embassy Row via AP)

Another Threads user said, “Mychael, please get the help that you need because this world is a better place because you’re in it.”

“Please take care of yourself. You are loved by so many people,” another person wrote . “Most of us who haven’t even met you but admire all that you stand for. Please keep on living. We need you so much!”

Threets has been open about his mental health struggles.

After going viral in 2023 for sharing uplifting messages on his TikTok and Instagram pages and gaining a large following, Threets resigned from his librarian role at a library in California in 2024 after struggling with his mental health.

“I was just really struggling in life, struggling at work for the first time, just started feeling burnt out,” he told NBC Bay Area at the time, adding that he contemplated suicide.

Threets was tapped as the host of “Reading Rainbow” in 2025, replacing original host LeVar Burton .

The first iteration of “Reading Rainbow” aired on PBS from 1983 to 2006.