The host of Reading Rainbow, Mychal Threets, is being praised for his bravery after posting a raw message about his mental health. In a series of Threads posts, Threets told his nearly one million followers that he is“not okay”and that he plans to go to the hospital tomorrow to seek help. He added that he is safe in this moment, which has brought a small measure of relief to his fans.
Threets has been a beacon of positivity on social media, known for his infectious love of libraries and literacy. He was named the host of Reading Rainbow after its YouTube relaunch in October 2025, a role previously made iconic by LeVar Burton. However, this isn’t the first time Threets has faced a difficult battle. He previously left his job as a librarian due to severe burnout and has been open about planning to take his own life in March 2024. His transparency then, and now, has made him a vital voice for mental health awareness.
The biggest takeaway from this story is the contrast between his public success and his private pain. It’s a stark reminder that a person can be living out their dream job and still struggle internally. Fans have flooded his comments with support, and mental health professionals are pointing to his post as an example of how to reach out for help when you need it. Do you think public figures have a responsibility to share their mental health journeys, or is it a private matter?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.