'Reading Rainbow' host Mychal Threets shares mental health update after psychiatric hold

Reading Rainbow host Mychal Threets has shared an emotional update about his mental health, revealing that he continues to struggle following a five-day psychiatric hold earlier this year.

In an Instagram video posted on Saturday,October 10, to mark World Mental Health Day, the 36-year-old librarian spoke candidly about his experiences and his determination to keep seeking help.

He added, “My brain is very loud. My feelings are very big. I believe I am running out of time. I don’t know how much time I have left. But I’m going to keep on trying to find joy each and every day.”

Threets also expressed his desire to remain connected with others, saying, “I want to stay. I’m trying to stay. I am asking for help. I am asking for joy. I am seizing hope.”

Threets first raised concerns about his well-being in August, when he announced on Threads that he was seeking medical treatment.

Later that month, he revealed that he had completed a five-day psychiatric stay.

“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,” he said in an update shared on 22 August.

He also thanked the doctors, nurses and mental health workers who supported him, saying, “It’s not enough, but thank you, you saved my life.”

Threets has hosted Reading Rainbow since its YouTube relaunch in October 2025.

The children's programme originally aired on PBS from 1983 to 2006, with LeVar Burton as its original host.