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‘Reading Rainbow’ Host Mychal Threets Fears He’s ‘Running Out of Time’ Amid Mental Health Struggles
Reading Rainbow host Mychal Threets is opening up about his ongoing mental health struggles.
In an emotional Instagram video posted Saturday, October 10, to mark World Mental Health Day, Threets, 36, admitted that despite his positive public image, he’s struggling behind the scenes.
“People keep on saying, ‘Mychal I’m glad to see you’re doing well. I’m glad to see you’re OK.’ But I’m not doing well. I’m not OK. But I believe that’s OK, because I’m trying my best,” he said on social media.
“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,” he continued in the video. “But I’m going to keep on trying to find joy each and every day.”
The librarian, who became popular online for sharing his love of books, said he remains hopeful about the future. “I want to see you at the library, at the bookstore, in the world where we all belong,” he said. “I want to stay. I’m trying to stay. I am asking for help. I am asking for joy.”
Fans flooded the post’s comment section with encouragement and support.
“It[‘s] ok to not be ok. One breath at a time. One heartbeat at a time,” one person wrote.
Another commented, “There is an unnecessary pressure to be OK. It makes other people feel better who love you and are concerned, BUT don’t deny your true feelings for everybody else’s comfort.”
Threets’ latest message comes after he sought medical help earlier this year. He revealed in August that he had spent five days in the hospital on a 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,” he said in a Threads video at the time.
Threets took over as host of Reading Rainbow when the beloved children’s series returned on YouTube in October 2025. Per NPR, the original PBS version, hosted by LeVar Burton for 26 years, inspired generations of children to love reading and won more than 250 awards, including 26 Emmys and a Peabody Award.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
