“Reading Rainbow” star Mychal Threets offered a public update on his mental health Saturday, five days after he alarmed fans by abruptly announcing that he would be checking himself into a hospital because he was “seeking help.”
“I just wanted to apologize for worrying so many people. I just got back from a 5-day stay at the hospital — a 5-day psychiatric hold,” Threets said in an emotional video posted to Threads, along with a caption reading, “I am safe.” “I haven’t been okay for what feels like a very, very long time. I am not okay, but I have hope I will get to okay. I’m on the struggle bookmobile. It’s going to take a long time for me to be okay. It’s going to take a long time.”
On Aug. 17, Threets shared a text post to Threads writing that he would be “going to the hospital tomorrow” and that “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 post understandably alarmed fans, with many reaffirming Threets’ intent to seek support for what appeared to be mental health struggles.
Threets’ new post Sunday confirmed the cause of his hospitalization, along with voicing gratitude for the professionals he had consulted with.
“I just wanted to say ‘thank you’ to the multitude of doctors, nurses and mental health workers I saw. It’s not enough but, thank you. You saved my life,” Threets continued in the video. “Thank you to my family and friends. Thank you to you. 3-6-9, it’s okay not to be fine. We’re struggling. We’re human beings. We’re doing our best. Thank you for being you. Thank you for staying. Maybe I’ll see you at the library. I’ll see you tomorrow. I love you.”
Threets hosts PBS and Kidzuko’s recent revival of “Reading Rainbow,” which debuted in 2025 as a comeback for the landmark educational series, which originally ran from 1983 to 2006. The revival, which encourages its grade-school audience to practice frequent reading, was renewed for another 24 episodes in February by Sony Pictures TV.
The post ‘Reading Rainbow’ Host Mychal Threets Says ‘I Am Safe’ After 5-Day Psychiatric Hold: ‘I Have Hope I Will Get to Okay’ appeared first on TheWrap.
