What's the diff. between emotional and mental problems?

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Since emotions take place in the human mind, aren't they technically considered mental problems?

Yes. The DSM stands for 'Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders'. Also, in the ICD the category that fulfils the same purpose is called 'Mental and behavioural disorders'.

But emotionally problems can be used as pointer to certain disorders. Which isn't that good of a term to use actually even when you're in a subculture in which that word is used to define the 'emotional problems' but as a very loose term to push certain (unidentified) disorders out of the debate.

But it's convenient to use. That's a big argument.

From my perspective, emotions and thoughts are two different forms of mental activity. Emotions can include anger, sadness and happiness. These are closely related to and perhaps caused by the thoughts we have.

Have a look at cognitive behavioral therapy for more info on the interaction between thoughts and emotions.

Emotions should be considered mental problems, but a lot of the time they use 'mental' only to describe the cognitive processes. It's illogical but still people are going to think it that way : )