Parents across the U.S. have been anxiously hoping for a positive update on beloved PBS star Mychal Threets, who posted on August 17, 2026, that he was “not okay” and planned to check himself into a hospital. Threets, known to countless young fans as “Mychal the Librarian,” stars in the rebooted version of “Reading Rainbow,” the 80s and 90s kids’ TV classic that LaVar Burton hosted for over 20 years.
Fans and fellow stars have been nervously awaiting word on the real-life librarian’s well-being. On August 18, one of Threets’ industry friends, “Sesame Street” puppeteer Stacey Gordon, provided an update via Threads, confirming that she’d spoken to Threets and that he was feeling “hopeful” after reaching out for help.
‘Reading Rainbow’ Star Mychal Threets Received an Outpouring of Love & Encouragement From Fans & Friends
Threets, 36, is a real life librarian and author was chosen to host the “Reading Rainbow” reboot in 2025, per People. After a preliminary run, Sony Pictures and Buffalo Toronto Public Media announced in March 2026 that a 24-episode second season was in the works, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Threets has been open about his struggles with depression and anxiety, periodically sharing vulnerable posts on Threads, but his message there on August 17 left his followers particularly concerned.
“I am not okay,” Threets began his post. “Maybe I’ll never be okay. I’m seeking help. Going to the hopital tomorrow. In this moment I am safe. By God’s grace.”
He continued, “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 💚”
Threads pinned a community note beneath Threets’ post that said “It’s okay to not be ok. Please reach out. In the United States, you can call 988, or go online to wannatalkaboutit.com or 988lifeline.org.” Fans and friends also encouraged Threets to seek help immediately, including actress Yvette Nicole Brown, who replied, “If you need the help, maybe go tonight, friend. ❤️”
Best-selling author and popular podcaster Nicole Walters wrote, “The hopital is 24/7 support- and how lovely that help is always there when you need it- so now is a good time too. And know that staying is an incredible gift to all of us- we are so grateful and proud of you for saying these thoughts outloud so we can send you our energy and love. 💛 See you tomorrow friend.”
About 24 hours after Threets’ initial post, Gordon shared an update that said she had just spoken on the phone with Threets, noting, “He is safe and he is hopeful! 🥰 I read him some of the loving messages I’ve seen here on threads, and he appreciated them greatly, and says thank you!”
She continued, “And friend, when you read this (if I didn’t already read it out loud to you), just know that the community that has built itself up around you (just from you being YOU!) is going to love you through anything that comes your way. Especially the weirdos close to you 🍇✊. We’ve got your back. 💞”
Mychal Threets Has Said His Love of Books Has Helped Him Through Hard Times
Threets, who released his best-selling children’s book “I’m So Glad You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy” in February, opened up to People about his struggles with depression earlier this year. Admitting that becoming so widely-known publicly was overwhelming for an introvert like him, he said he was growing “more comfortable” sharing stories about libraries, and mental health “just because I love it all.”
“I still have hard days and I’d much rather be behind the scenes,” he told the outlet. “But for a chance to amplify libraries, amplify people’s stories — essentially, I serve almost as a narrator of library joy, and I’m honored to do it.”
After going viral in 2023 with his TikTok videos on being a librarian at the Fairfield Civic Center Library in California, Threets was named the new “resident librarian” for PBS in 2024, featured in literacy videos across its social media pages, per People. He eventually left his full-time librarian position to do that work and take on “Reading Rainbow.”
He told People that in tough times, he could always rely on books and his community to get him through, explaining, “If it wasn’t for books, for my family, my friends and libraries and wonderful people, I wouldn’t be here today. It’s because of things I’ve learned from my favorite characters, authors and illustrators, and just accepting that books will always love me even when I don’t love myself.”
