In The Best of Minds, the story of Michael Laudor is placed in the wider context of the history of mental healthcare in the United States. The 20th century brought about significant changes in mental health treatment and legislation, reflecting evolving societal attitudes toward mental illness, individual rights, and the role of the state.

In the first half of the 20th century, mental illness was often met with ignorance and fear, leading to the widespread stigmatization of individuals with such conditions. Many Americans viewed mental illness as a shameful secret, and those affected often faced social isolation and discrimination. This era was marked by the prevalence of large, state-run psychiatric hospitals, where patients were often subjected to inhumane treatment, including overcrowding, electroconvulsive therapy, and lobotomies. These institutions further perpetuated the stigma surrounding mental health, as they were isolated from mainstream society.

In the 1950s, the mental health landscape began to change with the advent of psychotropic medications such as chlorpromazine (brand name Thorazine), which offered a more effective means of treating mental illness. At the same time, a backlash against the inhumane treatment associated with psychiatric hospitals occurred. The deinstitutionalization movement played a crucial role in shifting the focus from long-term hospitalization to community-based care for people with mental illnesses, leading to the Community Mental Health Act (1963).